TodaySenator Ron Johnson announced that he had joined an amicus brief arguingagainst the constitutionality of the individual mandate of Obamacare:
“I’mencouraged that a district court has recognized the unconstitutionality ofObamacare, and its unprecedented mandate. The Constitution does not giveCongress the power to require that every American purchase health insurance.I’m pleased to add my voice to the dozens of other Senators who are calling onthe courts to uphold this common sense position.
“Ibelieve that the passing of Obamacare is the single greatest assault on ourfreedom in my lifetime. It will do great harm to our health care system. Itwill lead to rationed care, lower the quality of care, increase medical costsand severely limit medical innovation.
“Astroubling, this law will add trillions of dollars to our nation’s debt anddeficit over the next couple of decades. We are already bankrupting our nation.We simply cannot afford Obamacare. It must be repealed.”
Theamicus brief is being filed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY),and is joined by 43 other members of the Senate. The legal action was initiallybrought by the State of Florida, and has been joined by a majority of thestates. On January 31, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Northern Districtof Florida held that the personal mandate exceeds the federal government’sconstitutional authority. The decision has been appealed by the Department ofHealth and Human Services.
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