Today Senator Ron Johnson announced that he had joined an amicus brief arguing against the constitutionality of the individual mandate of Obamacare:

“I’m encouraged that a district court has recognized the unconstitutionality of Obamacare, and its unprecedented mandate. The Constitution does not give Congress the power to require that every American purchase health insurance. I’m pleased to add my voice to the dozens of other Senators who are calling on the courts to uphold this common sense position.

“I believe that the passing of Obamacare is the single greatest assault on our freedom in my lifetime. It will do great harm to our health care system. It will lead to rationed care, lower the quality of care, increase medical costs and severely limit medical innovation.

“As troubling, this law will add trillions of dollars to our nation’s debt and deficit over the next couple of decades. We are already bankrupting our nation. We simply cannot afford Obamacare. It must be repealed.”

The amicus brief is being filed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), and is joined by 43 other members of the Senate. The legal action was initially brought by the State of Florida, and has been joined by a majority of the states. On January 31, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida held that the personal mandate exceeds the federal government’s constitutional authority. The decision has been appealed by the Department of Health and Human Services.

###