Values Voter Summit: Conservatives Give Standing Ovation To Obamacare Fight

While polls show Republicans are split on shutting down the government over the issue of funding the Affordable Care Act, those on the far right are behind their party’s strategy.

That dynamic was on full display Friday at the Values Voter Summit, an annual conference of social conservatives, elected officials and pundits in Washington, D.C.

“We make no apologies” for our fight against Obamacare, said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who has worked hand in hand with freshman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in their unsuccessful attempt to defund the law.

After Lee, the crowd stood again to welcome the day's second speaker, Cruz, whose anti-Obamacare fight led to the shutdown.

"Tell me now, will you stand with Ted Cruz?” said conservative activist Brent Bozell, who introduced Cruz, “and his crusade to save America?” The crowd rose to its feet in thunderous applause as Cruz ascended to the stage.

Lee’s remarks were sprinkled with references to the health care law and they received much applause.

Lee, who kicked off the first full day of the conference, focused largely on the family and young people getting married. “Our agenda must be truly pro-family,” Lee said. His second standing ovation came with remarks about stopping abortion.

Other speakers at the conference include Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky.; and Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.; and former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, among many others.