By Mike Hothi
A collection of Republicans from both chambers touted a massive online petition Wednesday as evidence that the American people are firmly in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act.
The petition, collected by RepealItNow.Org and presented to lawmakers this week, reportedly contains 1.6 million signatures.
Speaking during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) cited the outpouring of support as evidence that the health care reform law should be overturned immediately, before the Supreme Court weighs in.
“This is not a partisan issue. This is an American issue,” DeMint, standing behind a stack of boxes containing the petition, said. “We cannot wait for the courts.”
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law last year and has been Conservatives’ go-to example for intrusive government under the Obama administration. The Supreme Court will likely determine the constitutionality of the law’s personal insurance mandate before the end of their current term.