Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced an amendment this morning to the continuing resolution, which would keep the government funded past March 27, that would defund Obamacare.

Obamacare has already damaged the economy by reducing employee hours, forcing employers to drop health insurance coverage and creating a drag on job creation, Cruz said.

“If Obamacare is fully implemented, it will create an even further drag on the economy, killing jobs and making it harder for those struggling to climb the economic ladder,” he said in a statement.

The amendment would delay funding for Obamacare until economic growth returns to historic averages.

“In my view, Obamacare should be fully repealed, and I have introduced legislation to do so,” he said. “At a minimum, however, it should not be implemented at time when our economy is struggling so mightily, at a time when its implementation could push us into a full recession.”

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, joined Cruz in calling for a delay in Obamacare funding.

“I will join Senator Cruz in objecting to Senate consideration of any Continuing Resolution without a vote on delaying funding of Obamacare,” he said in a statement. “Defunding Obamacare is essential to restoring economic growth. At this time of fiscal turmoil, Congress shouldn’t borrow more money to pay for something we cannot afford.”