Republicans divided on plan to defund Obamacare

WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- A pledge to use a U.S. government shutdown to deny funding for healthcare reform has split Senate Republicans, with Bob Corker of Tennessee calling it "silly."

Corker blasted the plan in an interview Tuesday with MSNBC.

"I think it's a silly effort," Corker said. "What people are really saying who are behind that effort is that we don't have the courage to roll up our sleeves and deal with real deficit reduction and spending decisions and we want to take ourselves out of the debate and act like we're being principled to the American people."

The plan originated last week with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who says Republicans should refuse to support any continuing appropriation resolution that provides funding for President Obama's healthcare plan, known derisively as Obamacare.

"If we do not draw a line on this issue, we have no lines," Lee said this week.

Lee has support from senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas, both mentioned as possible presidential candidates. But some Republicans who supported him last week have changed their minds.

But Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said he has a response for constituents who urge him to support Lee, MSNBC reported.

"I'm ramming right back: 'Support him in destroying the Republican Party?' The strategy that has been laid out is a good way for Republicans to lose the House," Coburn told the Washington Examiner.