Over the past week, I have been honored to lead the fight in South Carolina against the big government and unconstitutional health care bill dubbed “ObamaCare.”

Months ago, I was the first candidate running for any office in South Carolina to sign the “Repeal It” pledge, vowing to fight to repeal the health care bill if it managed to become law.

In preparation for that fight, I filed legislation in December to amend the South Carolina Constitution to clarify the federal government does not have the authority to mandate that South Carolinians purchase health insurance. If my legislation becomes law in South Carolina, it could deliver a major blow to Nancy Pelosi’s and President Obama’s plan for the government take over of health care.

Late last week, my bill received its first committee hearing and I asked for your support. I am proud to report that a merged bill, known as the “Duncan-Scott Amendment” passed out of subcommittee and will have a hearing before the full judiciary committee in two weeks.

If the Duncan-Scott Amendment passes this year, South Carolinians will have an opportunity to vote on this amendment in November, and send a loud and clear message to Washington: “stop trampling over the Constitution, and start listening to the citizens of this nation!”  read more »

Jeff Duncan remembers Ronald Reagan's 1988 State of the Union speech... and how it reminds him of today's healthcare debate (click here for video).  

The other night, my family joined millions of Americans in watching the health care debate unfold on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. I hoped and prayed that Congress would listen to the will of the American people and start over with a new health care bill.

As I watched the health care debate, it was my hope that Congress would have considered legislation that would lower costs and improve access by offering free market solutions. I hoped Congress would have remembered the Constitution of the United States and realized they were leading our nation away from our founding principles

Instead, we witnessed a 2,700 page bill rammed through Congress by using a mixture of backroom bribes and procedural tricks. Instead of passing a transparent bill that would help rejuvenate our economy, thousands of small business owners are left wondering if this health care bill will be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

With the passage of this flawed health care bill we witnessed free market ideals substituted for more government bureaucracy. The federal government will be hiring approximately 16,000 new IRS agents just to enforce the new tax element of this legislation. In addition, this bill will make major cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and ask private citizens and doctors to pick up the tab. Ultimately, I believe this health care legislation is too expensive and is clearly unconstitutional.  read more »