Hatch Statement Regarding the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling on Obamacare Federal Subsidies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee and a current member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on Halbig v. Burwell regarding the Obama administration’s authority to issue subsidies to those buying health insurance in the federal exchange:

“Today’s decision rightly holds the Obama administration accountable to the law. The plain text of Obamacare authorizes subsidies only through state exchanges, not the federal exchange.  As it has on so many occasions, the Obama administration simply ignored the law and implemented its own policy instead.  The President’s actions represent a fundamental breach of our constitutional system, in which the rightful authority to make the law is vested in Congress.  

“The court considered the Administration’s justifications and came to an unmistakable conclusion: President Obama overreached.  It is greatly disturbing that this Administration continues to put politics ahead of the rule of law time and time again. Today’s decision was right to reject such lawlessness, and I trust that the full D.C. Circuit and eventually the Supreme Court will likewise uphold the legitimate lawmaking authority of Congress.”

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