Supreme Court upholds health care law, delivering win for Obama

The 5-4 Supreme Court ruling affirmed Congress’s authority to impose an “individual mandate” through its taxing powers and delivered a major political victory for the president.

Nam Y. Huh/associated press

People celebrated in Chicago after President Barack Obama's health care law was upheld by the Supreme Court Thursday.

Chief Justice John Roberts surprised court watchers by voting to uphold the health care law.

Charles Dharapak/Associated Press/File, 2010

Chief Justice John Roberts surprised court watchers by voting to uphold the health care law.

Susan Clark, left, argued with another protester outside the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Kris Connor/Getty Images

Susan Clark, left, argued with another protester outside the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Supporters celebrated after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

Joshua Roberts/REUTERS

Supporters celebrated after the Supreme Court upheld the law's constitutionality.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said the ruling shows that Republicans must defeat Barack Obama to overturn his health care overhaul.

Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said the ruling showed that Republicans must defeat Barack Obama in November's election to overturn his health care overhaul.

President Barack Obama hailed the court's decision as a victory for people across America and urged opponents to rally behind the law.

LUKE SHARRETT/AFP/GettyImages

President Barack Obama hailed the court's decision as a victory for people across America and urged opponents to rally behind the law.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick watched President Obama on television after the ruling.

Bill Greene/Globe Staff

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick watched President Obama on television after the ruling.

An artist's rendering showed Chief Justice John Roberts, center, speaking as the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act in a 5-4 ruling.

Dana Verkouteren/Associated Press

An artist's rendering showed Chief Justice John Roberts, center, speaking as the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act in a 5-4 ruling.

House Speaker John Boehner headed for the House chamber after the ruling.

Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, headed for the House chamber after the ruling.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi smiled as she watched news of the court's ruling.

J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi smiled as she watched news of the court's ruling.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, praised the justices for their decision.

AP

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, praised the justices for their decision.

Steve Ciccarelli of Annandale, Va., right, a proponent of the law, argued with Susan Clark, of Washington, who held opposing views.

David Goldman/Associated Press

Steve Ciccarelli of Annandale, Va., right, a proponent of the law, argued with Susan Clark, of Washington, who held opposing views.

Protesters who opposed the act showed their dismay after the ruling as announced.

Jason Reed/REUTERS

Protesters who opposed the act showed their dismay after the ruling was announced.

A protester held up a sign in the wake of the ruling.

Joshua Roberts/REUTERS

A protester held up a sign in the wake of the ruling.

Demonstrators prayed outside the court after the ruling.

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

Demonstrators prayed outside the court after the ruling.

Chicago area senior citizens went to a local cooling center to escape the summer heat and watch President Barack Obama's reaction to the ruling.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Chicago area senior citizens went to a local cooling center to escape the summer heat and watch President Barack Obama's reaction.

For businesses, ruling a measure of clarity

Many local executives welcomed today’s Supreme Court ruling because it provided a measure of clarity in their health care calculations.

Pat Liberti saw significant savings on her prescription drugs under the federal health care law, which allows her to pay only half the cost of her supply of heart drugs.

Mass. residents react to ruling with relief

The Supreme Court’s health care decision sent a wave of relief through Massachusetts that the benefits of President Obama’s landmark law will remain intact.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/06/28/BostonGlobe.com/National/Images/147363036-746--90x90.jpg House holds AG Holder in contempt

The House approved the precedent-setting resolution after the attorney general did not turn over documents related to a gun-trafficking operation.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/06/28/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/27eremain_photo1-2200--90x90.jpg Tierney brother-in-law says congressman ‘knew everything’

Daniel Eremian reportedly told a local newspaper US Representative John F. Tierney knew about the family gambling operation that landed Tierney’s wife in prison.

MFA receives rare West African art pieces

A total of 34 pieces from a group of works known as the Benin bronzes were donated by Robert Owen Lehman, son of the famous banker, and will be housed in a newly created gallery.

Jared Sullinger of Ohio State celebrated after defeating the Syracuse Orange at TD Garden in the NCAA Tournament in March.

nba draft

Celtics go big in NBA draft

The Celtics selected forward Jared Sullinger, center Fab Melo, and forward Kris Joseph with the 21st, 22nd, and 51st picks.

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From the archives | Photos

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/06/27/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/09292010_29history_photo3-7725101--90x90.jpg The Blackfriars Massacre

On June 28, 1978, five bodies were found in the basement of the Blackfriars Pub on Summer Street in Boston. The gangland-style killing would be known as the “Blackfriars Massacre.”

BostonGlobe.com exclusives

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Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senator Scott Brown.

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“The Rocky Horror Picture Show’’ has been a longtime midnight feature at the AMC Loews theater in Harvard Square, which closes July 8.

‘Rocky Horror’ midnight madness ends in Harvard Square

The Beach Boys played a nearly-2½-hour show in Boston Tuesday as part of their 50th-anniversary tour.

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Make Meaning capitalizes on the DIY crafting trend

Names

Britney Spears, ‘X Factor’ friends visit Providence

6 heat wave-friendly fragrances for summer
Customer Arthur Silevicz said in Brockton that people are “going to pay whether it goes up or not.”

Cheaper gas is a tricky political calculus
A Swiss group will show silhouettes of slaves.

Louis Agassiz exhibit divides Harvard, Swiss group
Deborah Hughes (standing) and Mary-Catherine Deibel, friends for 40 years, are marking their 30th year owning UpStairs on the Square, known for its decor (below), camp, imagination, eccentricity ­— and its food and wine.

Food

UpStairs on the Square has staying power

America’s Cup racing now goes to extremes

Sports

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Tuukka Rask would be the Bruins’ go-to goalie in the 2012-13 season because of Tim Thomas’s intention not to play next year.

Tuukka Rask to sign extension with Bruins

On Thursday, the goalie agreed in principle to a one-year, $3.5 million contract extension, according to two sources familiar with the negotiations.

Metro

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Victoria Reggie Kennedy stood during the national anthem at the 2011 Boston University commencement.

Victoria Kennedy applauds court’s health ruling

Victoria Reggie Kennedy’s late husband, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, was a driving force behind health care reform.

Columnists

Yvonne Abraham

Sal DiMasi sentenced to neglect

Tech Lab

Vigilance will help keep your computer safe
Egypt’s new leader, Mohammed Morsi, may not have put in a call to Iran, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he eventually does make overtures to Tehran and elsewhere.

Juliette Kayyem

Egypt and Iran’s inevitable courtship

Edward L. Glaeser

Why is the House GOP going after census information?

Joan Vennochi

A Boston minister challenges Brown, Warren to focus on poverty
The Rev. Fred Luter Jr. has been chosen to lead the Southern Baptist Convention, a denomination with its roots in slavery.

Jeff Jacoby

Stain of racism is finally fading in America

Scot Lehigh

Where are Mitt Romney’s details?

Boston Capital

How the little biotech guys beat big odds

opinion | Joanna Weiss

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Egyptian riot police guard the parliament building in Cairo against protesters last week, following a declaration by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces that the military was taking legislative power after a court ruling dissolved parliament.

Juliette Kayyem

An emerging democracy requires more than just elections
The newest member of the White Sox, Kevin Youkilis, at batting practice yesterday.

Bob Ryan

Youkilis a unique player who will be missed

Brian McGrory

Tough landing for roaming bear

Business

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JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon testified during a June hearing.

JPMorgan trade losses could reach up to $9b

Losses from the bungled trade could far exceed earlier public estimates, according to people who have been briefed on the situation.

Politics

Warren agrees to radio debate

Elizabeth Warren accepted Scott Brown’s challenge, but also pushed him to attend two regional TV debates she has been seeking.

Nation & World

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Supreme Court building

Supreme Court: Not a crime to lie about military medals

The court invoked free speech concerns to strike down the 2005 Stolen Valor Act, which was designed to protect the integrity of the armed services’ awards.

Arts

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Movie review

“Ted,” starring Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane as the voice of Ted, is not for those who frown on juvenile humor.

‘Ted’ a crass but hilarious bromance

Seth MacFarlane’s debut feature film is a crass, surprisingly sentimental bromance about a grown boy and his teddy bear.

Style

6 heat wave-friendly fragrances for summer

While we’re still clearing out winter’s musks and spring’s florals, we’ve begun searching for the perfect summertime scent.

“This study, like some national studies, confirms that far and away these natural contaminants are the biggest threat to human health.”

Joseph D. Ayotte,  on groundwater in New England

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Opinion

“Brown and Warren are still debating where they will debate. What they debate is even more important.”

Joan Vennochi 

Ideas

“A cadre of engineers who specialize in tunneling and excavation say that we have barely begun to take advantage of the underground’s versatility.”

Leon Neyfakh,  on the push to go underground