Obama vetoes Obamacare repeal bill

WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Barack Obama on Friday vetoed legislation that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act and cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

The bill goes back to the Republican-led Congress, which does not have the votes to override the veto.

Obama’s veto was expected, but it marks the first time Republicans have been able to get a bill that would repeal his signature health care law to the White House, after more than 60 votes to roll back all or part of the law.

In his veto message, Obama stressed the number of times congressional Republicans have tried to “repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act.”

“Rather than re-fighting old political battles by once again voting to repeal basic protections that provide security for the middle class, members of Congress should be working together to grow the economy, strengthen middle-class families, and create new jobs,” Obama wrote.

“Because of the harm this bill would cause to the health and financial security of millions of Americans, it has earned my veto,” he added.

The measure would also have barred federal money for Planned Parenthood, something conservatives in Congress vowed to do after a series of videos released by an anti-abortion group last year triggered a controversy about the sale of fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood maintains the footage was edited and denied any improper activity.