House Speaker John Boehner said he plans to move forward with a lawsuit against President Barack Obama for misusing executive powers.
'The Constitution makes it clear that a president's job is to faithfully execute the laws. In my view the president has not, faithfully executed the laws,' the Ohio Republican said. 'When there are conflicts like this between the legislative branch and the administrative branch, it's ... our responsibility to stand up for this institution.'
House Republicans have argued that Obama is misusing his executive powers by side-stepping Congress on immigration and other policies, including a decision to extend family leave to same-sex couples and bar federal contractors from discriminating against gay employees.
The speaker's office has not outlined what specific executive orders or actions the suit will cover but Boehner said on Wednesday the lawsuit was not about convening impeachment proceedings against Obama.
It's unlikely that any action on the lawsuit would occur until after the House returns from its holiday recess that begins Thursday afternoon. And even if a lawsuit goes forward, it could take longer to work through the court than the roughly two-and-half years Obama will remain in office.
Still, Boehner said, the lawsuit is about protecting the Constitution and Congress.
'What we've seen clearly over the last five years is an effort to erode the power of the legislative branch,' Boehner said. 'On behalf of the inquisition and the Constitution, standing up and fighting for this is the best long-term interest of the Congress.'
Entities 0 Name: Congress Count: 3 1 Name: House Count: 3 2 Name: Boehner Count: 3 3 Name: Obama Count: 3 4 Name: John Boehner Count: 1 5 Name: Barack Obama Count: 1 6 Name: Ohio Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1vtVFns Title: Obama to sign order barring U.S. contractors from job bias based on sexual orientation Description: President Obama will soon sign an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against gay men, lesbians and others on the basis of sexual orientation, the White House said Monday. The move is the last significant action Obama is likely to be able to take to advance gay rights without the cooperation of Congress, activists said.
