E-Newsletter

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary M. Collyer ruled in the case of United States House of Representatives v. Burwell that the Obama Administration is improperly funding a portion of Obamacare without a separate Congressional appropriation:

“This court and I believe the Obama Administration unlawfully bypassed Congress while implementing this portion of Obamacare.  I further appreciate that the judicial branch is joining the legislative branch in this case in effort to rein in unlawful executive branch action.  This is not specifically about Obamacare or this Administration, but is about protecting the separate duties of the three branches of our government under the Constitution.”

“Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress has the power of the purse.  It is my sworn duty as a Member of the House of Representatives to protect the rights and freedoms afforded us by our Constitution, and to steadfastly defend our system of checks and balances.  I view this ruling in no uncertain terms as a needed check on an overreaching executive branch and as a welcomed victory for the separation of powers.”

The Administration is expected to appeal Judge Collyer’s decision.

###