Deal, Olens: Ruling 'a huge step toward victory'

Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Sam Olens praised the federal appeals court ruling that struck down the individual mandate in Obamacare as unconstitutional. In a joint statement, Deal and Olens said Georgia will continue to press its case that the whole law should be declared unconstitutional – an issue the Supreme Court will ultimately have to decide.

“We applaud today's ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit striking down the individual mandate as ‘a wholly novel and potentially unbounded assertion of congressional authority.’ Today's ruling recognizes the core principles of our federalist system and reminds an over-reaching federal government that the Constitution applies to it, too.
 
“We do not, however, agree with all findings in the decision. Unlike the 11th Circuit, we believe that the Obama administration should be taken at its word that the individual mandate is crucial to the whole bill, and that the whole bill should be struck down. But this much is certain: Federal healthcare reform is on life support, and this case will be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. Today is a huge step toward victory, but it is also a day that emphasizes the importance of the work ahead.”