On the recordJuly 30, 2014
I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the resolution authorizing the Speaker to bring a legislative branch lawsuit against the President. Never before in the history of the Congress has there been institutional litigation between two coequal branches of government-- never. Don't my Republican friends understand that the House's acting alone cannot by itself enforce a legislative enactment? It must be bicameral. This resolution will establish a precedent unknown in our jurisprudence. It is an abuse of power. It will threaten the separation of powers principle and the checks and balances that we have long cherished in this country. Do you want the judiciary to become the arbiter of disputes between Congress and the President? Our branches are coequal. Do you really want to cede to the courts the authority to resolve disputes between the branches? Would you want the President to sue the House for missing a budget deadline? Where does it end? How do you plan to pay for this litigation? This resolution would give the Speaker a blank check to pay legal costs and expert costs, which would add to the deficit. I call on House Republicans to talk to objective legal scholars, to read the literature and court decisions, to protect the integrity of our Federal system, and to reject this dangerous legislation. This is a very sad day in the House. I know what you are doing, and the American people know what you are doing.…
