Virginia Judge Strikes Down Key Part of Obama Health Care Law

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Dec. 13, 2010

Hudson could have invalidated the entire health care law but said today that he recognized he would not be the last federal judge to rule on the issue. "This case turns on atypical and uncharted applications of constitutional law interwoven with subtle political undercurrents." he said. "And the final word will undoubtedly reside with a higher court."

Across the country there have been several other lawsuits challenging the law. This week, a federal judge in Florida will hear a challenge from 20 states. Federal judges in Virginia and Michigan have ruled in favor of the Obama administration in cases brought by independent parties.

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Conservative Group Calls Virginia Ruling Called 'Momentum-Changer'

Stephanie Cutter, the assistant to the president for special projects, wrote a blog earlier in the month saying, "No one knows how each of these cases will be decided, but in the end, we are confident that health reform will prevail."

The conservative American Center for Law and Justice, which had filed a brief in support of Virginia, issued a statement today, calling the ruling a "momentum-changer."

"Judge Henry Hudson's decision," the statement said, "is a victory for the majority of Americans who are opposed to the government-run health care."