Citizens of South Carolina Speak Out On Bill To ‘Nullify’ Obamacare

Feb 6, 2013 -Columbia, SC. State House Building

I travelled to Columbia, SC to cover a story that is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues in the country -Nullification. On January 8th hundreds of people turned out for a rally on the steps of the State House and a Press conference inside where Rep. William Chumley introduced a bill to nullify ‘The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” aka Obamacare (H3101). Rep. Chumley had 25 cosponsors for H3101 and it was refered to as the House Judiciary Committee.

On Wednesday, Feb 6 there was a House Subcommittee hearing on H3101 as well as another bill, H3473 sponsored by Rep. Greg Delleney, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. H3473 does not feature any of the nullification language and is seen to be not as resolute as H3101. I observed that most of the people there were interested in H3101 and its firm focus on nullification.

The meeting was so well attended that there was standing room only in the back of the hall. Since it was a public forum people were allowed to sign up and speak concerning the bills. There were many people eager to have the committee hear what they had to say.

The first person to speak was Rep. William Chumley, who authored the H3101 bill. He was greeted with a huge wave of applause that bordered on a standing ovation. Everyone was warned that although they were passionate about the issue they must not have any outbursts or applause. (There was still some subdued applauses throughout the proceedings.) After thanking everyone for attending he summarized that it is not a bill about hate of anyone or any administration but a bill about love. Love of freedom, love of liberty, love of our way of life.

Professor Crocker, a USC constitutional law professor then spoke and declared “This isn’t a debatable point, there is a definite right answer. The state of South Carolina has no power to nullify the Affordable Care Act”. In contrast to his opinion, Dr. Donald Livingston, a retired Philosophy of law professor from Emory University, spoke and cited examples of state sovereignty and the states rights and the cases and uses for nullification. He summarized the discussion of the constitutionality and stated that the final authority on laws doesn’t rest with the U.S. Supreme Court or the federal government, that authority rests with the people and the states that created the federal government. In an erie foreshadowing of what doors may be opening up with the passage of the legislation he said “If you think Obamacare is bad, wait till you see what happens later.”

Doctor Thomas Kendall, who has been an active physician since 1976 to the present, and is president-elect of the Association of American Surgeons and Physicians brought the perspective of an actual physician that will be laboring in the system if Obamacare goes into effect. He summarized his testimony into 3 key points. There is a war on Doctors, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not patient protective or affordable & is bad for South Carolina, and that innovation and creativity can succeed when given freedom. In short Obamacare is bad for South Carolina.

By the end of the meeting it was clear that the debate is far from over. Since there is so much at stake in regard to the future of our country this issue is sure to continue to grow and move to the forefront. Due to the large amount of citizens that spoke at the hearing the allotted time ran out and a followup meeting will be scheduled. If you would like to attend the next meeting, go to this link for the date and time that it will be held.

Here are some links to a few resources you may find helpful:

H3101 Bill

H3473 Bill

Rep. William Chumley’s information

Nullification Information

Video of the entire meeting

-TJ Petrino