Republicans weigh defunding ‘Obamacare’ in U.S. spending measure

By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Republican leadership plan to avoid a direct threat to shut down the government is being derided by some conservatives as a “hocus-pocus” measure that falls well short of their demands for an “Obamacare” showdown. Republican aides said the plan, which will be floated by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to party members on Tuesday, would allow for an extension of government funding for several weeks past the September 30 fiscal year-end. If accepted, the House could vote on the plan later this week. …