Federal judge says he'll rule on Virginia's health care challenge by Jan. 1

[ehrnst]

Source: Washington Post

A federal judge for the Eastern District of Virginia said Monday that he would rule on the constitutionality of the federal health care law by the end of the year, a key legal test for the sweeping legislation.

In a packed Richmond courtroom, U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson heard more than two hours of oral arguments by lawyers acting on behalf of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) and the Obama administration.

Hudson, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush in 2002, told the lawyers that he planned to review the arguments and "mine deeply" briefings in the case before ruling. But he made clear that he knows his opinion will be only one of many expressed before the momentous case is complete.

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2010/10/federal_judge_says_hell_rule_o.html

[Gin]

1. Cuccinelli is so sure that he is right....if this bill gets changed and

it affects enough Virginians negatively....his political goose will be cooked. (IMO)

[grahamhgreen]

2. If they remove the mandate but keep the rest of the bill in tact

We will be sitting pretty.

I too think it is unconstitutional to allow private corporations to levy a tax on me.

[The Northerner]

3. +1

[obxhead]

4. I'm actually glad it's being tested.

I too feel the mandate is insane and can not be allowed to stand as the law sits now with no cost controls what so ever.

Of course if the mandate is removed it will drastically alter the equations on whether the law is paid for over the first 10 years. I had a hard time believing it was fully funded with the mandate though.

[Javaman]

5. Conveniently ruling AFTER the election.

I bet this judge wants to see how to butter his bread.