White House says it can't lawfully pay Obamacare subsidies

A White House statement said based on guidance from the Justice Department, "the Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that there is no appropriation for cost-sharing reduction payments to insurance companies under Obamacare."

"In light of this analysis, the Government cannot lawfully make the cost-sharing reduction payments," the statement said.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Michael Perry)