The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul is within constitutional bounds, specifically in regard to the mandate that nearly all Americans buy health insurance.
The decision marks the first time a judge appointed by a Republican president upheld the insurance law. Judge Jeffrey Sutton was appointed by President George W. Bush.
Two of the three judges ruled in favor of the law and upheld a prior court’s ruling, further validating the federal government’s primary argument that the mandate falls within Congress’ power to regulate economic activity.