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Sen. Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinSenate heads toward floor fight on criminal justice bill Megyn Kelly on Mika Brzezinski's comment controversy: 'I hope she's forgiven' McConnell sets Monday test vote on criminal justice bill MORE (D-Ill.) said Sunday that the lawsuit that led to a judge's ruling striking down the Affordable Care Act will ultimately hurt the Republican Party.

"The Republican attorneys general who brought this lawsuit didn’t do the Republican Party any favor," Durbin said on ABC's "This Week."

Sen. Dick Durbin on a judge ruling Obamacare rules unconstitutional: "The Republican attorneys general who brought this lawsuit didn't do the Republican Party any favor" https://t.co/0xd9AjDZaX #ThisWeek pic.twitter.com/7hcT8zlrcM

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) December 16, 2018

Durbin said "the biggest single issue" during the midterm elections last month was the future of the Affordable Care Act and whether people with pre-existing conditions would be assured health insurance. Democrats won at least 40 seats in the House in those elections, while Republicans picked up two seats in the Senate.

Durbin argued that the judge's ruling on Friday will keep the issue in the spotlight.

"It has to be appealed for sure, but in the meantime the Republicans will once again face the question do you believe we should have health insurance accessible, affordable and cover those with pre-existing conditions," Durbin said.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpBiden, Sanders lead field in Iowa poll The Memo: Cohen fans flames around Trump Memo Comey used to brief Trump on dossier released: report MORE and Republicans repeatedly voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but regularly argued during this year's campaign that the party would protect those with pre-existing conditions.

Trump touted the judge's ruling, which said the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate is unconstitutional, and that because the mandate cannot be separated from the rest of the law, the rest of the law is also invalid.

Legal experts in both parties have indicated in the wake of the ruling that they expect the challenge to the law will not succeed. ObamaCare will remain in effect while the case is appealed.