Democratic Attorneys General move to intervene in GOP case against Obamacare News
Democratic Attorneys General move to intervene in GOP case against Obamacare

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra [official website], along with the attorneys general of 14 other states and the District of Columbia, filed a motion Monday to intervene and defend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [JURIST news archive] against a challenge [text, PDF] to its constitutionality.

The suit challenging the ACA was filed in February by 20 Republican-led states, including Texas and Wisconsin, alleging that the ACA is unconstitutional [JURIST reports] after a tax law passed in December eliminates the penalty for not purchasing health insurance. Because the ACA has previously been upheld by the Supreme Court [JURIST report] under Congress’ tax power, the challengers contend that the elimination of the penalty undermines the ACA’s constitutional basis.

The Trump administration has indicated that it does not intend to defend the ACA in court. The 16 states now seek to intervene to defend the law and prevent the harm that they claim will result if the ACA is struck down, including the loss of healthcare to their populations and the federal funds the law provides to states.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.