WASHINGTON - December 13 - A federal judge in Virginia has declared portions of the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional in a decision in the case brought by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Michael B. Keegan, President of People For the American Way, said:

"Tea Party activists like Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli have tried to twist the Constitution into a document that protects corporations and the powerful while neglecting the individual. The fight against the Affordable Care Act is one of the most prominent and troubling examples of this trend. While federal courts have rejected constitutional arguments against the ACA on two other occasions, Cuccinelli's victory in the courtroom of a Bush-appointed judge will provide ammunition to those who are determined to see reform fail.

"As the Senate remains gridlocked on judicial nominations, let this be a reminder of their importance. George W. Bush succeeded in packing the federal judiciary with far-right judges prepared to dramatically limit the role of the federal government in ensuring equality to all people. Bush's agenda for the courts had profound consequences, and must be not be perpetuated by inaction."