U.S. Judge Rules Against Obamacare in Virginia, Bolsters Florida's Case

A U.S. judge today ruled that the federal health-care law was unconstitutional, handing a preliminary victory to Virginia and bolstering the case of Florida and 19 other states that have filed similar challenges.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, in Richmond, Va., sided with Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who argued that the state's residents could not legally be forced to buy health insurance.

"This won't be the final round, as this will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court, but today is a critical milestone in the protection of the Constitution," Cuccinelli said in a statement after the ruling.

Incoming Florida Gov. Rick Scott, one of the earliest opponents of Obamacare, said:

The news out of Virginia today is great for Floridians and for Americans everywhere. Obamacare is the biggest job killer in the history of this country and this decision will go a long way toward restoring the certainty businesses need to start hiring and restoring some sanity to the federal government.