Republican Lawmakers Push ObamaCare Repeal After Ruling

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 13, 2010   |   5:39PM   |   Washington, DC

Responding to today’s ruling from a federal judge declaring the individual mandate portion of the abortion-funding ObamaCare law unconstitutional, top Republican lawmakers are pushing for a repeal of the entire law.

Speaker-elect John Boehner commented on the decision, calling for a repeal and saying states should repudiate ObamaCare now that it has been declared unconstitutional:

Today’s decision is an encouraging sign for families and small business owners who have revolted against President Obama’s job-killing health care law and called for its repeal.  Instead of appealing this decision, the Obama Administration should work with Congress to repeal this job-killing health care law so we can replace it with reforms that lower costs and protect jobs. Republicans have made a pledge to America to repeal this job-killing health care law, and that’s what we’re going to do.

The individual mandate at the heart of ObamaCare puts the federal government in the business of forcing you to buy health insurance and taxing you if you don’t.  This is unwise, unaffordable, and as we have argued all along, unconstitutional.  If Washington thinks it can get away with this kind of power grab, it will think it can do anything.  Cash-strapped states should carefully weigh the benefits of investing time and resources in ObamaCare’s implementation now that its central mandate has been ruled unconstitutional.

Congressman Mike Pence, an Indiana Republican who is a key pro-life advocate, also responded:

“Now that a federal judge has shown the individual mandate in ObamaCare to be unconstitutional, it’s time to repeal it lock, stock and barrel. A majority of Americans rejected ObamaCare long before it became law, and their frustration with this government takeover of health care has only grown. They know it’s time to repeal ObamaCare, with its budget-busting price tag and job-killing mandates, and replace it with common sense solutions that actually lower costs without growing the size of government.”

Congressman Phil Gingrey, a physician, also weighed in:

“Forcing every American to purchase government approved health insurance robs Americans of their most basic right under our constitution – liberty,” Gingrey said. “I am pleased that this ruling supports the notion that a government for the people does not have the authority to take away the liberty of its citizens. As a physician with nearly 30 years experience and having delivered over 5,200 babies, I know how important access to health care is for all Americans.  As a citizen of this country, I also know how imperative it is that we never give up on protecting our constitution for future generations. I am glad to see that the Virginia Supreme Court agrees.”  

And Congressman Steve King, another pro-life Republican leader, focus on the importance of the individual mandate:

“With Judge Hudson’s decision, a federal court has now ruled in accordance with what I have always said: ObamaCare’s requirement that Americans purchase health insurance or pay a fine is unconstitutional,” said King. “ObamaCare’s ‘individual mandate’ always rested on the absurd premise that the Commerce Clause empowered the federal government to regulate Americans’ decisions not to engage in commercial activity. Adoption of such an argument would have vested the federal government with the power to regulate virtually every aspect of Americans’ lives, and Judge Hudson remained true to the Constitution by rejecting this argument and striking the individual mandate down. With the ‘individual mandate’ that lies at the heart of the legislation ruled unconstitutional, the badly-flawed ObamaCare law is now completely dysfunctional, further accelerating the need for Congress to repeal it.”

Potential presidential candidates got in on the response as well, such as pro-life Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty:

“I am encouraged by today’s ruling that Obamacare’s individual mandate compelling Americans to involuntarily buy health insurance is an unconstitutional power grab by the Federal government. Forcing citizens to purchase a good or service is a clear infringement on our personal liberties and must be stopped. 

“While today’s ruling is a victory for individuals’ rights, I’m also hopeful that courts will recognize that Obamacare is also a threat to states’ rights. Last month, I joined the federal lawsuit in Florida that challenges Obamacare’s individual mandate and invokes the 10th Amendment in vigorous defense of states’ rights. In August, I issued an executive order directing Minnesota state agencies to reject participation in Obamacare unless required by law or consistent with existing state policy. I encourage governors to stand up for their states’ rights and do what we can to stop Obamacare.”