NEWS RELEASE - Lt. Governor Kinder Announces Hearne as Attorney for Federal Health Care Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2010

Lt. Governor Kinder Announces Hearne as Attorney for Federal Health Care Challenge

JEFFERSON CITY – Lt. Governor Peter Kinder today announced that prominent constitutional attorney Thor Hearne will advise him on the constitutionality of the recently signed federal health care law.

“I am grateful to have Thor representing the voices of the citizens of Missouri in this case,” Lt. Governor Kinder said. “Thor’s vast experience and background will assure Missourians’ interests receive some of the most sound and vigorous representation in the country.”

Hearne is a partner with the Washington, D.C. based firm Arent Fox LLP. He is one of the nation’s preeminent constitutional and election law attorneys. Hearne successfully represented the leadership of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House appearing as amicus curiae before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hearne routinely handles complex constitutional and civil rights litigation against the federal government. He has appeared and argued significant federal and state constitutional issues before various U.S. Courts of Appeal as well as the Missouri, Michigan and Kansas state Supreme Courts. In 2004, he served as President Bush’s national election counsel in the presidential re-election campaign.

“I consider it an honor and a privilege to represent the Lt. Governor and advise him in his role as an advocate for Missouri’s elderly and in his defense of all Missouri citizens’ constitutional rights,” Hearne said. “We are considering the unique constitutional concerns the federal health care bill raises for Missouri citizens, taxpayers and, especially, how this bill affects the health care options available to Missourians over sixty-five years old.”

Lt. Governor Kinder announced on April 7, 2010 that he would bring the appropriate legal challenge to defend the interest of Missouri citizens and that this effort would be funded by private donations. The Health Care In Action, LLC legal fund was established to allow private citizens to support the effort and make sure Missouri taxpayers would not be left with the bill.

Officials from more than 20 other states are also pursuing legal action against the health care legislation.

On the Web: http://healthcareinaction.com/.

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