Republicans claim ObamaCare ruling could help push to repeal it
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“ObamaCare” stands, but the battle over the law is far from over.
In its 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the so-called individual mandate could be upheld only because it fell within Congress’ authority to tax. However, that is not how the Obama administration originally sold it.
In fact, in a 2009 interview, President Obama adamantly rejected the notion that the penalty for not buying insurance amounted to a tax hike.
“You can’t just make up that language and decide that that’s called a tax increase,” Obama said, scolding his interviewer.
Now that the high court says it is a tax, Republicans say the law will be more unpopular.
And the fight will surely go on.
Much like the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, politicians and voters are likely to litigate the issue for years to come — in Congress and the courts and the public square. In the near term, Republicans will re-double their efforts to push for repeal in Congress. And some claim the Supreme Court has handed them a winning argument.
“(Americans will) like it even less when they understand it’s a tax,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, told Fox News.
He cautioned that anyone who subsequently votes in favor of the law in Congress “will do so at their own political peril.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called Chief Justice John Roberts, who sided with the majority, a “genius.”
Graham said the law never would have passed if the mandate penalty were presented as a tax, claiming the ruling will redound to Republicans’ benefit.
President Obama said Thursday that his administration will proceed with implementation, saying “the highest court in the land has now spoken” and urging Republicans to “move forward.” He said he won’t “re-fight the political battles of two years ago.”
He may have to.
On one track, Republicans plan to rally voters around presidential candidate Mitt Romney as he vows to make repealing the law his Day One priority if elected.
Read more: FoxNews.com
