CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published: 13-Dec-2010

Oklahoma Attorney General-elect Scott Pruitt today (Monday, December 13) issued the following statement in reaction to the ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that it is unconstitutional for the federal government to mandate Americans buy health insurance. 

General-elect Pruitt said, “This is a great day for the Constitution and for liberty. The issue at hand is much larger than health care.  As Judge Hudson said today, forcing Americans to purchase a product, or face a penalty, would invite the unbridled exercise of federal police powers.”

Pruitt further stated today’s ruling was a positive development that bolsters Oklahoma’s plans to challenge the federal health care law saying, “We will file and join this effort in January, and we are evaluating the best way to do so. I have been in communication with Florida Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi as well as General Cuccinelli’s office in Virginia.”

Pruitt continued, “We are supportive of both lawsuits. We believe Oklahoma is uniquely positioned, as was Virginia, to impact the challenge of this abuse in power with the state constitutional amendment.

Oklahomans overwhelming passed last November that affirmed our right to opt-out of the federal health care law. As such, we will continue to evaluate the best way to defend our law.”