Natalie Gonnella
This January, newly elected GOP governors wasted little time in taking action against President Obama's health care legislation. In their first days in office, their support of the legal challenge in Florida quickly brought the number of plaintiffs to represent half of all US states, a pretty significant statement, with Oklahoma also pursuing its own lawsuit.
While the US Supreme Court will likely be the final arbitrator, yesterday's ruling by Florida Judge Roger Vinson was an important milestone in the fight against the health care law, and a major victory for newly elected governors who campaigned on platforms promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Barely a month into their first terms as state leaders, here's a look at what some of the freshmen had to say about yesterday's outcome:
The federal government doesn’t have the right to demand that Americans purchase a product. Today’s ruling backs up that assertion. In fact, it goes even further by saying that the individual mandate is so inextricably linked to the overall bill that the entire law falls short of constitutional muster.
The fact of the matter is, I think whether you are Republican, or Democrat or Independent, I think you ought to be concerned because this is such a big change in the way our country would operate, it’s a lot of money, and I think there is a valid Constitutional question and it should be challenged as if it is was a First Amendment or Second Amendment question.
In making his ruling, the judge has confirmed what many of us knew from the start: Obamacare is an unprecedented and unconstitutional infringement on the liberty of the American people,
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley
We have long argued that, among its many other flaws, the national health care law is unconstitutional, something that is now increasingly clear to all. South Carolina must take steps to avoid this unconstitutional infringement - one we do not want and cannot afford. We can improve health care in our state without this massive mandate from Washington, and that's what our Administration, working with the General Assembly, will do.
I commend Judge Vinson’s ruling today. When Maine signed on, we stood up against the individual insurance mandate knowing it was unconstitutional. Here in Maine, we need comprehensive reform to lower job killing health care costs. More expensive mandates are not the answer.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval:
I am pleased with today’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson in Florida. Since the beginning, I have noted my concerns that the federal health care legislation has serious constitutional questions which need to be answered by the courts. Time is of the essence in settling this issue because we are being forced to implement portions of this law. As Nevada is a party to this lawsuit, I look forward to its continuation.
I am thrilled that Judge Vinson has taken such a bold stand against a law that is unconstitutional, unworkable and unaffordable. The people of Oklahoma have made it clear that under no circumstances should the federal government be able to force our citizens to buy health insurance. This ruling is a victory for all of us who believe the ‘individual mandate’ contained in the federal health care bill is in conflict with the United States Constitution and the free market principles that make this nation great.
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