Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said Democrats should be just as angry as Republicans about the president’s executive order on immigration because it sets a precedent for future presidents to singlehandedly rewrite the law.
“This is a serious matter,” he said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “President Lindsey Graham could come in and say, ’I don’t like the Endangered Species Act, I’m not going to enforce it.’”
“That is rewriting law. That is a violation,” he continued. “The president has just slapped in the face every House and Senate member, saying we don’t need you anymore.”
Mr. Santorum encouraged lawmakers to defund the provision and urged House lawmakers to continue with their lawsuit on the president to prevent setting precedent for future leaders.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said the president’s actions “should scare every American,” but that House Republicans are partly to blame for not acting on the Senate bill or proposing a solution of their own.
“Shame on us as Republicans for having a body that can not generate a solution to an issue that’s national security,” he said. “I’m disappointed in my party.”
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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