On the recordDecember 4, 2014
I appreciate the work that you have done on this, and I appreciate the attention that this has brought. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of consternation about this bill. I stand here today, obviously, in support of my bill, H.R. 5759, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014. It is a simple bill. It is four pages, but yet, it has caused a lot of debate. It just simply states that the President, Mr. Obama, does not have the constitutional authority to grant amnesty by issuing work visas to 5 million people here illegally. I have got a list of scholars too that back up the claim that this is unconstitutional. This bill doesn't talk about deporting anybody, as you might hear later on today that it is going to deport 9 million people. It doesn't talk about that. It doesn't talk about granting amnesty. It just stops an unconstitutional action by our President, who has taken an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States, just like the rest of us in this body have. To vote ``no'' against this bill is to vote ``no'' against the Constitution. Harry Reid has already said he will not bring up this bill for a vote. The President says he will veto this if it makes it to his desk. My question is, to not bring up this bill, or to not sign it, is that not a vote against our Constitution? It is important that we address the true debate here, and that is the separation of powers.…
