Sen. Rand Paul introduced his Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act, a bill that would completely shut down President Obama’s executive action to grant amnesty to roughly 5 million illegals — if it ever passed.
It’s widely expected the president would not sign it into law.
But the measure — along with its House companion, from Rep. Ted Yoho, Florida Republican — would prevent Mr. Obama from using his executive office to choose which illegals ought to be deported, versus which illegals ought to be granted amnesty, United Press International reported.
“I believe that the Constitution is clear that the legislative power resides in Congress,” said Mr. Paul, Kentucky Republican, in a statement posted recently on his legislative website. “The president is not a king, and he does not have the power to enact laws then execute his own laws. Our Constitution is being violated by this executive order and other actions by the Obama administration to govern by executive fiat.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, meanwhile, had tried over the weekend to halt funding of the budget bill if the portion that furthers Mr. Obama’s executive amnesty push was not overturned.
Then, he said during Senate floor remarks, UPI reported: “Both Democrats and Republicans will have the opportunity to show America whether they stand with a president who is defying the will of the voters or with the millions of Americans who want a safe and legal immigration system.”
SEE ALSO: Obama amnesty to be tested by immigration service nominee
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.