McDonnell reacts to health care case

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - Governor Bob McDonnell made a statement today about the Supreme Court's decision to hear arguments regarding President Obama's Health Care Act.

"Today's news that the Supreme Court will hear arguments, possibly as soon as March, is reassuring news that we will soon reach finality on this critically important issue," McDonnell said. "I am confident that the Court will find that the Act does overreach and is unconstitutional. I thank the U.S. Supreme Court for agreeing to hear arguments on the federal health care law during this current term."

McDonnell made the statement from Tel Aviv, Israel during his 11-day Economic Development and Job Creation Mission. The trip will also take him to India.

Shortly after the health care bill was signed by President Obama, Virginia sued the federal government over the mandate requiring citizens to purchase health insurance or pay a fine.

"Whether a federal mandate on every citizen to purchase health insurance violates the U.S. Constitution is a question that ultimately must be decided by the United States Supreme Court," McDonnell said. "That is why, nine months ago, Virginia requested that these suits be expedited for resolution by our nation's highest court."

This decision to hear arguments in the spring sets up an election-year showdown over the White House's main domestic policy achievement. And it allows plenty of time for a decision in late June, just over four months before Election Day.

A White House spokesman said, "We are pleased that the court has agreed to hear this case."

"We know the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and are confident the Supreme Court will agree," communications direct Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement.

The case could become the high court's most significant and political ruling since its 5-4 decision in the Bush v. Gore case nearly 11 years ago effectively sealed George W. Bush's 2000 presidential election victory.