Natalie Gonnella
In a number of states across the country, new attorneys general wasted little time in pursuing legal action against President Obama's health care reform (many submitting paperwork within their first day in office.)
With several states filing motions this week to join the multi-party lawsuit in Florida, here's a look at what the freshmen AGs have said about their intentions:
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine: Filed a motion requesting permission for Ohio to join the Florida challenge.
By ignoring the constitutional limits on federal power, the health care law tramples on the rights of Ohio's citizens….we need to defend the checks and balances that our Constitution creates through its divisions of power and protect the people of Ohio from this huge federal overreach.
Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen: Filed a motion requesting permission for Wisconsin to join the Florida challenge.
Never before has the federal government passed a law requiring somebody to buy something just by virtue of their existence. This is unprecedented…If they can regulate that, they can regulate anything.
Kansas Attorney General Dan Scmidt: Filed a motion requesting permission for Kansas to join the Florida challenge.
This lawsuit is about standing up for the rule of law and protecting the liberties guaranteed by our Constitution. Our federal government is designed to be a government of limited, enumerated powers, and we do not believe it has the power to order citizens into commerce so it can then regulate their conduct under authority of the Commerce Clause. Whatever the merits or demerits of health care reform, the ends cannot justify an unconstitutional means.
Wyoming Attorney General-elect Greg Phillips: Governor Matt Mead filed a motion requesting permission for Wyoming to join the Florida challenge.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt: Preparing a motion to pursue an independent challenge
There is great clarity for me on the necessary and urgent need to exercise my responsibility to defend Oklahoma's Constitution against a federal government and president that have gone too far in their overreach of power and authority.
Georgia Attorney General-elect Sam Olens: Preparing a motion to back Georgia's current participation in the Florida challenge (Former Georgia AG, Democrat Thurburt Baker refused to support Georgia's claims against the health care law which resulted in a special attorney being appointed on behalf of the state.)
It makes the lawsuit consistent with Georgia statutory law. And now it will have the full weight of the state behind it.
Maine Attorney General William Schneider: Considering action to join the Florida challenge.
I'm determined to do it. But we're going to look for the best time for Maine to do it.
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