Smith Statement on Court Ruling Health Care Law Unconstitutional

December 13, 2010 WASHINGTON DC - Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today released the following statement after a judge ruled the federal health care law unconstitutional. Today's ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson found Congress lacks the authority to impose the law's "individual mandate" which forces Americans to purchase individual health care or pay a penalty. Smith has cosponsored legislation in the House of Representatives repealing the individual mandate and has signed an amicus brief in a similar suit filed by 20 other states (including Nebraska). "Americans should have the freedom to make their own health care insurance decisions without the federal government looking over their shoulders. Today's ruling is an important first step toward replacing ObamaCare with a commonsense, step-by-step approach to reform which lowers costs for families and small businesses without encroaching on our personal liberties," Smith said.