JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Republican leaders in the Missouri House are pleased, but not impressed, with Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster's decision to file a legal brief in support of Florida's lawsuit challenging the federal health care law.
In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Koster says the measure requiring Americans to purchase health insurance can be removed without invalidating the entire health care law. Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones says Koster's filing of an amicus brief does not mean that Missouri is joining in the lawsuit:
"It might be something that the public might be interested in seeing, but as far as the courts, amicus briefs are filed all the time. They don't carry that much water, to be honest with you," Jones says. "It's like somebody saying, 'yeah, me too.'"
In addition, House Speaker Steven Tilley says Koster's actions are politically motivated, suggesting he filed the brief to improve his chances for re-election next year.
The Attorney General's office has so far not responded to requests for a comment.