Supreme Court risks overturning ‘decades of precedent' with health care ruling, says Obama spokesman

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The White House said Tuesday that the Supreme Court would be overturning "decades of precedent" if it finds Obamacare unconstitutional in a much-anticipated ruling expected later this week.

"We are, as I've said in the past, confident that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, in keeping with decades of precedent under the Commerce Clause," spokesman Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One. (He was referring to Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which states that Congress shall have the power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribe.")

The Obama Administration argued before the nine Justices earlier this year that the Commerce Clause — often cited to justify congressional power over parts of the economy — means the so-called "individual mandate" that requires Americans to buy health insurance is constitutional. Conservatives have argued that the mandate is an unconstitutional power grab.

"We continue to implement the law accordingly, and we are ready for the Supreme Court's decision, whatever it may be," Carney said.

The spokesman declined to say whether Obama would personally respond to the ruling.