House Has Voted to Repeal ObamaCare 30 Times

House Republicans have voted 30 times in the past year and a half to repeal, defund, or otherwise squash ObamaCare, with the first attempt coming just two weeks after they took control of the House last year. This week, in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision on the law, the House will take up attempt No. 31: the "Repeal of ObamaCare Act," NPR reports. That means, the Washington Post amusingly notes, that the GOP "will then have had as many health-repeal votes as Baskin Robbins has ice cream flavors."

Of course, the bills go nowhere thanks to the Democrat-controlled Senate, and "even in some bizarre universe where the Senate passed it, President Obama wouldn't sign it into law," says one expert. Even if Mitt Romney wins the November election, it will be difficult for the Republicans to actually repeal the law. But it's all about scoring points politically with their base, the expert notes. The Post expands on that idea: Studies have shown that, when faced with new restrictions, people either submit or fight back—and they are more likely to fight back if there's even a hint of uncertainty as to whether the restriction will stand. By continuing to vote against ObamaCare, even symbolically, the GOP is building that uncertainty in an attempt to energize voters. (More ObamaCare stories.)