Fwd: Speaker Boehner to President Obama: This is Not How American Democracy Works

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2014 Permalink CONTACT: Kevin Smith, Michael Steel 202-225-0600 Speaker Boehner to President Obama: This is Not How American Democracy Works WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released the following statement today regarding President Obama's unilateral action on immigration: "The American people want both parties to focus on solving problems together; they don't support unilateral action from a president who is more interested in partisan politics than working with the people's elected representatives. That is not how American democracy works. Not long ago, President Obama said the unilateral action he just announced was 'not an option' and claimed he'd already 'done everything that I can on my own.' He said it would lead to a 'surge in more illegal immigration.' He said he was 'not a king' and 'not the emperor' and that he was 'bound by the Constitution.'  He said an action like this would exceed his authority and be 'difficult to justify legally.' He may have changed his position, but that doesn't change the Constitution. "By ignoring the will of the American people, President Obama has cemented his legacy of lawlessness and squandered what little credibility he had left.  His 'my way or the highway' approach makes it harder to build the trust with the American people that is necessary to get things done on behalf of the country. Republicans are left with the serious responsibility of upholding our oath of office. We will not shrink from this duty, because our allegiance lies with the American people.  We will listen to them, work with our members, and protect the Constitution." NOTE: Before he changed his position, President Obama said at least 22 times that he could not make his own law without Congress, ignore current laws, or expand his 2012 executive action. He said doing so "would be both unwise and unfair" and "could lead to a surge in more illegal immigration." According to several surveys, a majority of Americans oppose his unilateral action. The administration has also gone to great lengths to hide the truth about its immigration policies from the American people.

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