CNSNews.com - Sen. McCaskill Doesn’t Say Where Congress Gets Power To Mandate Health Insurance, But Cites Auto Insurance At State Level

CNSNews.com - Sen. McCaskill Doesn’t Say Where Congress Gets Power To Mandate Health Insurance, But Cites Auto Insurance At State Level

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)

(CNSNews.com) -- Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) did not say where Congress gets the constitutional authority to require that every American buy health insurance, as both the Senate and House health care bills mandate. However, McCaskill said that government has “gotten involved” with health care in many ways and, if there is a constitutional issue with the new mandate, the Supreme Court “will weigh in.”


Sen. Lautenberg Declines To Say Where Congress Gets Constitutional Authority To Mandate Health Insurance
Monday, December 28, 2009
By Edwin Mora

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) declined to say where Congress gets the constitutional authority to require every American to have health insurance, as both the Senate and House health care bills mandate.

At the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Dec. 22, CNSNews.com asked Senator Lautenberg, “Specifically where in the Constitution does Congress get the authority to mandate that individuals have health insurance?”

Lautenberg said, “I am not going to answer that,” and then walked away.


Sen. Bob Casey: Health Care Mandate Constitutional But Not Sure If There's 'Specific Constitutional Provision'
Thursday, December 24, 2009
By Matt Cover, Staff Writer

Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) (Photo courtesy of Casey's Senate Web site)

(CNSNews.com) – Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) said he was not sure if there is a “specific constitutional provision” that gives Congress the authority to mandate that all Americans have health insurance. Casey asserted, however, that the initiative was constitutional.

At the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, CNSNews.com asked Sen. Casey: “Where does the Constitution give Congress that authority, for an individual health care mandate?”


Sen. Nelson: Constitutionally, Congress Can 'Probably' Mandate Health Insurance In ‘Same Place’ States Can Mandate Car Insurance
Thursday, December 24, 2009
By Chris Neefus

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., arrives for a cloture vote on the Democrats’ health care bill early Monday morning, Dec. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

(CNSNews.com) – Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said Wednesday that Congress is given the constitutional authority to mandate that individuals buy health insurance in "probably the same place” that states get the power to mandate that people purchase auto insurance.

Both the House and Senate health care reform bills require that individuals purchase health insurance, punishable by a penalty or incarceration. Republican Senators forced a vote Wednesday, called a “point of order,” on whether this provision is outside the constitutional authority of Congress. The point was defeated along partisan lines, 60-39.

At the Capitol, CNSNews.com asked Sen. Nelson: “Where in the Constitution do you think that Congress gets the authority to create an individual mandate?”

Alaska Senator Begich Doesn’t Say Where Congress Gets Authority to Mandate Purchase of Health Insurance
Thursday, December 24, 2009
By Matt Cover, Staff Writer

Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska)

(CNSNews.com) – When asked, Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska) did not say where Congress gets the constitutional authority to require that Americans purchase health insurance, as both the Senate and House health care bills mandate. He instead said that the issue was “just more stall tactics” used by Republicans to hold up Senate passage of the legislation.

At the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, CNSNews.com asked Begich: “Where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to make an individual health [insurance] mandate?”


Sen. Sanders: Constitutional Authority for Congress’ Health Insurance Mandate ‘Probably’ Same As Medicare
Thursday, December 24, 2009
By Matt Cover, Staff Writer

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

(CNSNews.com) – Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told CNSNews.com that the constitutional provision that empowers the government to run Medicare and Medicaid is “probably” where Congress gets the authority to require Americans to buy health insurance, as both the Senate and House health care bills would mandate.

However, Sanders did not specify which constitutional provision to which he was referring, and did not answer if there was a limit to Congress’ power to mandate that Americans buy any product or service, before entering an elevator in the U.S. Capitol.

CNSNews.com asked Senator Sanders: “Where in the Constitution does Congress get the authority for a health insurance mandate?”