U.S. House makes it easier to repeal Obamacare, harder for lawmakers to protest

WASHINGTON — House Republicans, after dropping plans to eliminate an independent ethics office, approved new rules that would fine lawmakers if they broadcast from the floor, as Democrats did last year to demand new gun safety legislation. The rules package, which passed with no Democratic support, 234-193, also will make it easier for the House GOP to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which provides health insurance for more than 20 million Americans, without offering any way to replace their coverage.