Speaker Pelosi Issues Statement on 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision on Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, issued the following statement:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released this statement after a split 5th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled, 2 to 1, with Republicans against the individual mandate and asking the district court, which had previously struck down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act, to determine next steps, including the possibility of again striking down the ACA, notwithstanding the majority opinion's view that the district court failed to properly analyze severability in the first place:

"Tonight's ruling is a chilling threat to the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions and every other family who depends on the lifesaving protections of the Affordable Care Act. Despite their claims to support protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Republicans have taken every opportunity to dismantle them.

"The Trump Administration's indefensible assault on Americans' health care in the courts continues to threaten catastrophe in the lives of families across the country.

"On day one of this Congress, the new House Democratic Majority voted to throw the full legal weight of the House of Representatives into the fight to protect people with pre-existing conditions. We will continue our fight in the courts and in the Congress to defend and strengthen affordable health care for all Americans. This ruling should not stop families from continuing to sign up for the quality, affordable coverage they need in states where the enrollment period is still open."