Rep. Gowdy Statement on Supreme Court Hearing on Affordable Care Act

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-4) released the following statement to the media with respect to the Supreme Court hearings happening this week with respect to the contitutionality of the Affordable Care Act:

“I was invited to attend the Supreme Court of the United States for oral argument on the President's Health Care Bill, commonly referred to as ObamaCare.  I observed that while it is difficult to predict outcomes based on the questioning of the Justices, it appears relatively certain the "individual mandate", which is at the heart of the legislation, is in serious constitutional peril.”  

“I have argued since the bill passed the Commerce clause does not allow the government to force private citizens to purchase a product.  I gave a speech on the floor of the House this week outlining why the individual mandate is unconstitutional.” [VIDEO]

“Justices this morning focused on whether the individual mandate can be severed from the remainder of the bill.  The Obama Administration argued the individualmandate can be severed and even though the cost of insurance would undoubtedly skyrocket, it was a congressional issue and not a judicial one.  Justices questioned the Administration on how it can allow costly portions of the bill to advance while striking down the portion of the bill, which pays for those costly additions.   An opinion is not expected until this summer and the opinion will potentially have wide ranging ramifications on the power of the federal government.”