(Reuters) - The House of Representatives will postpone next week's vote to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare reform legislation due to the shooting of Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, House Republican Leader Eric Cantor said on Saturday. "All legislation currently scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives next week is being postponed so that we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today's tragedy," Cantor said in a prepared statement.
Giffords had received threats for her support of the healthcare reform bill and her office in Tucson was vandalized after the measure passed Congress last March.
Repeal of the law is a priority of Republicans who won control of the House in November elections, and it is expected to pass the House easily when the vote takes place.
The effort is not expected to advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate, however.
Cantor said he would release a revised House schedule on Sunday.
"It is horrifying that she was exposed to such violence at an event designed to reach the people she represents," Cantor said.