In the first ruling by a federal appeals court, on June 29, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio upheld the constitutionality of the mandate requirement in the Affordable Care Act. A Republican-appointed judge joined with a Democratic appointee to forge a 2 to 1 majority decision finding that the mandate "is a valid exercise of legislative power by Congress under the Commerce Clause" of the U.S. Constitution. Judge Boyce F. Martin, appointed by President Carter, writing for the majority stated, "Congress had a rational basis for concluding that the minimum coverage provision is essential to the Affordable Care Act's larger reforms to the national markets in health care delivery and health insurance." Rulings from the 4th Circuit in Richmond and the 11th Circuit in Atlanta are expected soon, since oral arguments have already been heard in similar cases. Legal commentators expect the issue will ultimately be decided by the US Supreme Court, especially if a split in the Circuit decisions should occur.