House Republicans Just Made a Major Announcement About Their Plan to Stop a Government Shutdown (UPDATE: Reid Calls Plan 'Pointless')

House Republicans announced on Saturday afternoon they would vote on a plan that seeks to delay President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law by one year.

“The American people don’t want a government shut down and they don’t want ObamaCare," said a joint statement from House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and GOP Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).

"That’s why later today, the House will vote on two amendments to the Senate-passed continuing resolution that will keep the government open and stop as much of the president’s health care law as possible," it continued.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner listens to House Republican colleagues speak at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol September 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. Boehner signaled that he is urging Republican colleagues to remain flexible in negotiations to avert a governmental shutdown when federal funding runs out next week. (Credit: Getty Images)

“The first amendment delays the president’s health care law by one year," it said. "And the second permanently repeals ObamaCare’s medical device tax that is sending jobs overseas."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called the House’s new plan “pointless,” the Washington Post reports.

“The Senate will reject both the one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act and the repeal of the medical device tax,” Reid said in a statement Saturday. “After weeks of futile political games from Republicans, we are still at square one: Republicans must decide whether to pass the Senate’s clean CR, or force a Republican government shutdown.”

Reid noted similar feelings Friday, saying the only way to avert a looming government shutdown would be to pass the Senate's continuing resolution bill that fully funds Obamacare.

“I want everyone to listen and to hear: The United States Senate has acted,” Reid said on the Senate floor Friday. “This is the only legislation that can avert a government shutdown, and that time is ticking as we speak.”

Reid added that the Senate is “going to accept nothing as it related to Obamacare.”

Nonetheless, House Republicans said they will vote on a plan to delay the healthcare law by one year and said after they do so "it's up to the Senate to pass it and stop a government shutdown."

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