Should the individual mandate be implemented on time? House leadership has scheduled a vote for next week to seek a delay in both the individual and employer mandates in Obamacare.

Politico:

"The president delayed Obamacare's employer mandate, but he hasn't delayed the mandate on individuals and families," Boehner said Thursday. "This is unfair, and it is indefensible."

The individual mandate requires most people to get health coverage. The employer one - delayed by the White House until 2015 - requires businesses with more than 50 workers to cover them.

 

Republicans hope to put Democrats in a tough spot by forcing them to vote on delaying the employer mandate - and then making them vote on delaying the individual mandate, too, something Democrats are sure to oppose.

Charging that "even the administration admits the health law is unworkable," Boehner juxtaposed the different pressures that businesses versus individual Americans will face if only one of the mandates is delayed. Republicans are also questioning whether the Treasury had the legal authority to say it wasn't going to enforce a portion of the health law for a year.

"If you're a software company making billions in profits, you're exempt from Obamacare next year," he said. "But if you're a 28-year-old struggling to pay off your student loans, you're not."

"If you're a big bank or financial company, you don't have to comply with Obamcare," Boehner added. "But if you're a single parent trying to make ends meet, there's no exemption for you."

House Republicans pounced on the employer mandate delay as soon as they returned to Washington earlier this week, criticizing the administration for treating individuals and families unfairly. They've also promised to vote this month on a bill banning the IRS from its role in implementing the health law.

Some Democrats who are looking at tough re-election contests may be temped to vote for the delay in the individual mandate. But realistically, it won't matter that much. The administration is committed to implement Obamacare regardless so most Democrats in the House and Senate will find themselves with no wiggle room. They are going to have to support Obama and take their chances with the voters.