Sen. Coburn Repudiates Chief Justice: Did Not ‘Enforce the Constitution’ Today, ‘Is On The Wrong Side’ In Ruling
- Posted on June 28, 2012 at 5:47pm by
Becket Adams - Print »
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Conservatives across the country were appalled when they learned on Thursday that Chief Justice John Roberts voted to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
“Members of this Court are vested with the authority to interpret the law; we possess neither the expertise nor the prerogative to make policy judgments,” Roberts wrote in his opinion (page six).
“Those decisions are entrusted to our Nation’s elected leaders, who can be thrown out of office if the people disagree with them. It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices [emphasis added],” he added.
Among those who believe Justice Roberts failed in his duty to defend the constitution is Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), one of the foremost critics of the president’s healthcare overhaul. In an exclusive interview with The Blaze, Sen. Coburn had some harsh words for the chief justice.
“Do you think that the Chief Justice fell on the right side in this argument?” The Blaze asked
“No, I don’t,” the senator responded.
“It is the Supreme Court’s obligation and duty to enforce the constitution so that when the Congress gets outside of the enumerated powers, that they slap them back,” he added, implying that by voting to uphold the controversial “individual mandate,” Justice Roberts had failed in his duty.
“What I would tell you is that you can’t find anywhere in reading the constitution, the Declaration of Independence, or the Federalist Papers, any intent that was ever thought about that the federal government would be putting forth this type of legislation and this type of control over everybody’s life,” he added, explaining that the mandate includes a “fine” and “not a tax.”
“You no longer, in this country, have the right to decide that you won’t buy health insurance,” the senator continued, “and I think the Chief Justice came down on the wrong side of this.”
Listen to our exclusive interview with him, below:
(See video at the link at top above.)
This story has been updated.
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