House Republicans schedule health care repeal vote

Republican leaders in the new House say they'll hold a vote next week to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

The announcement of the Jan. 12 vote by the No. 2 House Republican, Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, sets the stage for a showdown with the Democratic-led Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said earlier Monday that Democrats in that chamber will block any attempt to repeal the landmark legislation extending coverage to more than 30 million uninsured people.

Cantor spokesman Brad Dayspring said Monday the health care law is a "job killer for businesses small and large," but Reid said Republicans are on a "partisan mission."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Top Senate Democrats are warning House Speaker-elect John Boehner they'll block any Republican effort to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Citing better Medicare prescription coverage and other changes in the new law, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his top lieutenants say the overhaul "is too important to be treated as collateral damage in a partisan mission to repeal health care."

The letter says repeal would have "unintended consequences" for the part of the law that gradually closes the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, as well as for other popular consumer benefits. Also signing the letter are Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Charles Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington.

A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press.