The National Federation of Independent Business praised a judge’s decision Thursday to allow a legal challenge to the health care overhaul to proceed.

“Today we are one step closer to overturning the unconstitutional federal healthcare law,” Karen Harned, the executive director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center, said in a statement.

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson issued his ruling Thursday rejecting a Justice Department motion to dismiss the suit. The judge said the court case would continue as scheduled. Oral arguments are set for Dec. 16 in federal district court in Pensacola, Fla.

NFIB and 20 states have joined the lawsuit. They argue that Congress does not have the authority to compel individuals to purchase health care coverage.

“NFIB is pleased Judge Vinson ruled in favor of allowing our case to move forward. It is critical to small business owners and all Americans for the court to weigh in on the important constitutional questions at the heart of our lawsuit over the individual mandate,” Harned said. “Judge Vinson correctly recognized that the individual mandate, which forces all Americans to purchase health insurance, whether they want it or not gives the federal government an unprecedented amount of power over our individual lives.”