December 13, 2010: Congressman Wittman: "Ruling is a victory for individual liberty in our country"

Washington, DC – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that the individual mandate in the health care overhaul law is unconstitutional:

"Judge Hudson's ruling is a victory for individual liberty in our country. One of the reasons I opposed the health care overhaul last spring was the burden of an individual mandate requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance and a government penalty against those who do not buy it. Health care is a deeply personal issue. I believe that individuals should make their own choices about their health insurance, and believe the mandate, as the judge said today, "exceeds the constitutional boundaries of congressional power." Our Founding Fathers framed a government to protect the rights of its people, in our Constitution, and today we witness a great example of the balances of power in protecting the citizens of this country."

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.