DOJ Faces Strategic Decisions In Next Steps On Health Law Challenges
Politico Pro: DOJ Faces Decision On Next Health Suit Steps
The Obama administration has to decide by Monday whether it wants to directly ask the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of its signature health reform legislation. Since the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the health law in August, the administration can either ask the full court to take another look at the case or ask the Supreme Court to review it and issue a final decision. The choice will provide perhaps the strongest clue yet about whether the Supreme Court will decide the key question before the 2012 presidential election. A ruling on the mandate in the middle of the presidential debate could provide ammunition for President Barack Obama's law or the Republicans who oppose it. The Justice Department has until Monday to file paperwork if it wants to go back to the full 11th Circuit Court of Appeals (Haberkorn, 9/22).