On the recordMarch 4, 2015
I rise today to discuss a tremendously important case that was heard this morning in the Supreme Court. The case is King v. Burwell, and it involves the administration of ObamaCare. I was privileged to attend the argument. The King case is important for a number of reasons. It is important because it involves a fundamental component of ObamaCare, and it is important because of its significant implications for the rule of law. From the early days of the Republic, a core component of our constitutional character has been the idea that the government is a government of laws and not of men. That means our leaders are constrained by the words of the laws in our statutes and in our Constitution. Government officials must follow the law even when their personal preferences would lead them in a different direction. The current administration, however, is engaged in a sustained assault on the rule of law. I have spoken many times on the Senate floor about the President's disturbing disregard for the separation of powers and other limits on his authority. His offenses run the gamut of releasing Guantanamo detainees without first notifying Congress, to claiming that congressional inaction somehow clothes him with legislative-like authority to suspend immigration laws, to arrogating to himself the power to determine when Congress is in session. President Obama's actions in the King case are of a piece with the other Executive overreaches. First some background.…
