Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, says if President Obama moves unilaterally to grant legal status to potentially millions of illegal immigrants, the matter could ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Paul said Monday evening on Fox News’ “Hannity” program that a new Republican-controlled Congress could rein in potential executive orders through the appropriations process, as some in the GOP are calling for.
“We can pass legislation, but legislation would have to be signed by him,” he said.
But Mr. Paul hinted at another possible avenue, citing a case during the Truman administration where the Supreme Court overturned an executive order directing the government to run many of the steel mills in the country amid heightened demand from the Korean War.
“I think with regard to immigration reform, he’s doing something that Congress has not instructed him to do and in fact has instructed him otherwise, so I think the Supreme Court would strike it down - that takes a while, but that may be the only recourse short of a new president,” said Mr. Paul, who is a contender for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.