White House Defends Healthcare Law to Supreme Court

The White House defended its healthcare reform law to the Supreme Court on Friday. Its argument used the same approach it has taken with the Justice Department in lower courts, arguing that the Supreme Court would have to break with clear precedent to strike down the law’s insurance mandate. 

The main question from opponents is the lack of a “limiting principle,” which defines where Congress’s power stops. The Administration states that it does not need to define a limit as the mandate falls within the bounds of the commerce clause.  

The court will hear oral arguments in March and is expected to issue a ruling over the summer.