ACLJ Encouraged by Appeals Court Decision to Fast-Track its Challenge to Obamacare

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, said today it is encouraged that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted its motion to expedite its appeal of its legal challenge to ObamaCare.

"The appeals court clearly understands that this issue is of vital concern and deserves to be expedited," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  "By putting our appeal on the fast-track, the court is sending a strong signal that time is of the essence in determining the constitutionality of this law.  We're very encouraged that our appeal will move forward quickly ultimately headed for the Supreme Court.  And, we're confident our position will prevail."

The ACLJ filed a motion with the appeals court earlier this month urging an expedited appeal.  Today, the appeals court granted the ACLJ's request and set a schedule with the first round of briefs to be filed in May with oral arguments before a three-judge panel to be scheduled in September.

The ACLJ is appealing a decision by a federal district court in February that dismissed its lawsuit.  In its lawsuit, the ACLJ argues that Congress does not have the power under the Constitution to require Americans to purchase health insurance and that the mandate also violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.

In addition, the ACLJ has filed an amicus brief on behalf of 28 members of Congress and more than 70,000 Americans supporting the Commonwealth of Virginia's lawsuit challenging the mandate in federal court in Richmond.  The ACLJ also has filed an amicus brief on behalf of 63 members of Congress and more than 70,000 Americans supporting the lawsuit brought by 26 states in the federal court in Florida.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.

SOURCE American Center for Law and Justice

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED