Sen. Grassley Issues Statement on 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling on Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following statement regarding the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate:

"In 2012, the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare, despite serious constitutional issues with the federal government forcing Americans to purchase a product from a private company. Until an ultimate decision is made by the Supreme Court or Congress decides otherwise, the Affordable Care Act will remain the law of the land.

"Congress should work to ensure that no matter the ultimate outcome, Americans who have pre-existing conditions are protected from losing their insurance or facing discrimination. This is something that has broad, bipartisan support.

"The only reason for Democrats not to act on legislation like the Protect Act is because they would prefer to keep a partisan political issue alive. That's the definition of putting politics before people and it shouldn't stand."

Earlier this year, Grassley joined Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and several other senators in introducing the Protect Act, legislation that would protect Americans with pre-existing conditions and ensure that Americans have the peace of mind knowing that they and their loved ones will never be denied health care coverage or be charged more because of a pre-existing condition.