House GOP Introduces Resolution Saying Health Law Is Unconstitutional
On Thursday, House Republicans introduced a resolution (H. Res. 735) alleging that the federal health reform law violates the Constitution because it is a revenue measure that did not originate in the House, The Hill's "Floor Action Blog" reports.
Details of the Resolution
The resolution -- sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and 10 other GOP House members -- is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last month that upheld the individual mandate under the federal government's taxing authority.
The resolution notes that Article I, Section 7, Clause 1 of the Constitution states, "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives."
The reform law was introduced as an amendment to an unrelated bill (HR 3590) -- the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act -- which included 17 revenue provisions that are not relevant to the original measure, according to the resolution.
As such, the health reform law "did not originate in the House of Representatives," the resolution states (Kasperowicz, "Floor Action Blog," The Hill, 7/20).
Conservative Groups Mount Health Reform Attack Ads
In related news, conservative groups are preparing to spend millions of dollars over the next three months on advertisements attacking the health reform law and its Democratic supporters.
The American Action Network will spend $1.2 million on ads, mailings and other efforts targeting House Democrats who voted for the law (Eggen, Washington Post, 7/20). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.