Wisconsin GOPers back bill to arrest officials who implement Obamacare

Republican lawmakers say they still don't buy that the law is Constitutional

Published November 14, 2012 9:58PM (EST)

A group of Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin say that they would back a bill that would declare the Affordable Care Act illegal, and allow law enforcement to arrest any federal officials who try to implement it.

The nine lawmakers were responding to a survey from the conservative advocacy group the Campaign For Liberty, and responded "yes" to the question: "Will you support legislation to nullify ObamaCare and authorize state and local law enforcement to arrest federal officials attempting to implement the unconstitutional health care scheme known as ObamaCare?"

Gov. Scott Walker has until Friday to decide whether he'll create a health care exchange in the state as mandated by the law, or let the administration handle it.

Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he still believes the law is not constitutional, despite a Supreme Court ruling to the contrary. "Just because Obama was re-elected does not mean he's above the constitution," Kapenga said.

Another lawmaker said that he would also support a bill to require Walker to get permission from the legislature before implementing an exchange.  “That seems reasonable,” Republican state Rep. Don Pridemore told the Journal Sentinel. “It was making a statement to the federal government that we don’t want Obamacare.”

Via ThinkProgress.

 


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Barack Obama Health Care Reform Obamacare Republicans Tea Party Wisconsin