Sen. David Perdue applauds ruling on Obamacare funding

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., applauded a federal judge’s ruling Thursday that the senator says will help rein in executive actions that Republicans contend are overreaching by the Obama administration.

At issue was the federal subsidies for policies purchased under the federal Affordable Care Act. U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled that congressional approval is required before the administration can spend federal funds to subsidize private insurers.

“This ruling is a resounding victory for our Constitution,” said Perdue, a strong critic of the program also known as Obamacare. “The Founding Fathers purposefully created three separate branches of government with three clear roles, and for too long, we have seen President Obama overstep his authority and insert Washington into every aspect of our lives.

“President Obama’s time in office is coming to an end, and rulings like this signal that many of President Obama’s overreaching policies could soon be coming to an end, too.”

The ACA provision is a cost-sharing one in which the federal government reimburses insurers who are required under the law to reduce deductibles and co-pays, with the rate based on the policyholder’s income.

The Obama administration has contended it has authority to expend the funds without congressional approval. Republicans in Congress have argued that Congress must OK the expenditures. The judge said the cost-sharing could not be included in a permanent appropriation for tax credits created under the law.

In the near term, the funding situation is status quo. Reports said Collyer placed her ruling on hold pending an administration appeal of the decision.