Cantor, McDonnell call for expedited Supreme Court review of health-care law

14 de diciembre de 2010 - 21:51

U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) are calling on the Obama administration to join Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) in fast-tracking Supreme Court consideration of the constitutionality of the federal health-care law. Those statements are some of a staggering volume of reaction within Virginia to today's ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson that a central provision of the law requiring that individuals obtain health insurance by 2014 is unconstitutional. The federal government can appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. But Cuccinelli has asked them to consider joining him in requesting immediate Supreme Court review. At an afternoon news conference, Cuccinelli said bypassing the appeals court would relieve the country -- and its massive health-care market -- of the uncertainty of a continued lengthy legal battle. Already, Americans face a confused landscaped including 25 challenges to the law. Some have been dismissed on standing; two other judges have found the same provision of the law to be constitutional. Cuccinelli said he would consider asking the Supreme Court to take the case even without Justice Department cooperation, but he has made no decisions on the issue. In a statement, McDonnell said he has asked other governors and governors-elect to sign on to a letter to the Justice Department asking for their cooperation. McDonnell called the legal decision a "victory for the constitution" but said executives like him need a final resolution of the issue as they move ahead with implementing the complicated law. "There must be certainty and finality in order for our businesses and citizens to both know and adhere to the law." Cantor pledged that the new Republican-led House of Representatives would pass a repeal of the act next year, but in the meantime also called for expedited review. "In this challenging environment, we must not burden our states, employers and families with the costs and uncertainty created by this unconstitutional law, and we must take all steps to resolve this issue immediately," he said. Expedited review of the Virginia case would have the affect of causing it to leapfrog other challenges, including a suit filed jointly by 20 states in Florida. Advocates of the law downplayed the importance of the Virginia decision, noting that Hudson is the only judge so far to rule the mandate unconstitutional and that he chose not to strike down the entire law. Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran accused Cuccinelli of using the suit as a political springboard while undermining reforms to the health-care market that would benefit Virginians. "I urge the Obama administration to do what our grand-standing Attorney General refuses to do: stand up for families in Virginia and around the country who do not have access to quality and affordable health care by continuing to fight this battle in court," he said in a statement.

Cantor, McDonnell call for expedited Supreme Court review of health-care law

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