Federal judge tosses Affordable Care Act lawsuit filed by Senator Ron Johnson

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson filed to stop members of Congress and their employees from getting subsidized health insurance through small business exchanges.

U.S. District Judge William Griesbach ruled Monday that Johnson and a staff member who filed the lawsuit with him don't have grounds to bring the suit.

Griesbach says Johnson's belief that it is illegal for lawmakers and their staffs to get subsidized health insurance is not a strong enough reason to disqualify Johnson from its requirements. It would be possible for him to just sidestep its requirements by refusing to designate employees to receive subsidies, the judge says.

Griesbach also says Johnson hasn't shown that voters would view him negatively if his staff received subsidized insurance.