The Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday that the 2010 Affordable Care Act is constitutional has Texas’ leaders joining in the verbal battle both for and against the historic decision.
In the 5-4 ruling, the justices ruled that the so-called individual mandate is a tax that Congress can impose on Americans. That undercut the challenge to that provision's constitutionality for allegedly violating the Commerce Clause. From there, upholding the mandate meant that the rest of the act was judged constitutional as well.
The Associated Press gathered some of these reaction quotes from top officials in Texas:
Gov. Rick Perry: "This ruling will be a stomach punch to the American economy. It is a shocking disappointment to freedom-loving Americans desperate to get our country back on track." Attorney General Greg Abbott: "Despite the outcome of this case, the federal government is more restrained than it was yesterday, and it's only because of (a) novel application of the facts that the court was able to conclude that Obamacare is a tax that Congress can impose ... This decision, in reality, marks a turning point in Constitutional history. ... The Supreme Court rebuked a runaway federal government that tried to hijack the Constitution." U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas: "The Supreme Court has declared the health care law constitutional, but that doesn't make it good policy. In fact, the majority said it was not ruling on fairness or wisdom of health care policy, but instead on the power of Congress to levy taxes." U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas: "The Supreme Court made clear today that the American people will be the ultimate judge of Obamacare. As Republicans, we will redouble our efforts to repeal this job-killing law." Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate: "Obamacare has been a disaster since it was passed - increasing America's tax burden to cover the out of control costs. Obamacare has further weakened our economy." Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate: "This is a sad day for liberty. The Supreme Court has abdicated its responsibility to safeguard the Constitution, and it has rewritten Obamacare in an ill-advised attempt to save it." Former Texas Rep. Paul Sadler, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate: "The decision of the Supreme Court is a great victory for the citizens of this country who already have insurance, as well as those in need of health care." Bill Hammond, President, Texas Association of Business: "Unless Congress takes action to replace this plan with something that is more workable, we will see many jobs lost and many businesses that offer insurance to their employees now will drop that coverage." Becky Moeller, President, Texas AFL-CIO: "Working families in Texas have cause for historic celebration today."
Here’s how some other Texans and those around the social media world are reacting to Thursday’s Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act and its possible impact to the Lone Star State.