IN AN anticipated, emboldened move on Thursday, Dec. 4, the Republican-led House of Representatives issued a stern rebuke to President Obama over his executive actions to protect up to 5 million immigrants from deportation. In a narrow 219 to 197 vote, the House passed a bill, which declares his actions to be “null and void and without legal effect.”
The bill, presented by highly conservative Florida Rep. Ted Yoho, is aimed at blocking the President from unilaterally allowing eligible undocumented immigrants to live and work in the US.
Seven Republicans from districts with a large number of Latinos voted against the measure, while three Democrats from more red districts supported it.
“The president thumbed his nose at the American people with his actions on immigration. The House will make clear today that we are rejecting his unilateral actions,” House Speaker John Boehner said ahead of the vote.
It was a symbolic act, meant to appease members of the GOP caucus who were upset about Obama’s move on immigration reform. Knowing the measure would not go anywhere, Boehner told politicians that they sought ways to give outraged conservatives a way to vent their frustrations without shutting down the government.
“The president thinks he can just sit in the Oval Office and make up his own laws,” sad Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalice, the third highest ranking Republican in the House said prior to the vote. “That’s not the way our system of government works. I bring this legislation forward today so we can get back to the rule of law.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called the tactic a “show vote” and urged Republican leaders to “use every tool at our disposal,” including blocking government funding.
It was not the first time House Republicans have expressed discontent over President Obama’s actions before. Last year they gathered over 50 votes to overturn the Affordable Care Act, and filed an unsuccessful lawsuit to overturn the health care law.
“We think this is the most practical way to fight the president’s action, and frankly we listened to our members, and some who are griping the most. This was their idea of how to proceed,” Boehner added.
Obama’s executive actions announced last month would extend deportation relief and grant three-year work permits to eligible immigrants, mostly those who have been in the US for more than five years and have children who are legal citizens or permanent residents. They also extend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, bringing relief to immigrants brought here illegally as kids.
Compounding the GOP’s anger, the announcement came barely two weeks after Republicans beat Democrats in the November midterm elections and won majority control of both houses of Congress starting in January.
Democrat leaders in the Senate, who still hold power until the new Congress convenes, support the President’s executive action, and have said they have no intention of bringing the House bill up for a vote.
Angry Democrats, immigrant rights advocates, and the White House said the GOP was voting to eject parents—who greatly impact from the President’s plan for three-year deferment—and tear families apart.
Lawmakers and advocates rallied behind the President, warning that Republicans would be alienating Latinos heading into the 2016 presidential elections, in which the Hispanic vote is expected to be significant.
“They should remember that this is not a fight between Republicans and the president,” said Clarissa Martinez de Castro from the National Council of La Raza. “They will be picking a fight with the millions of American families who will finally find some relief.”
President Obama anticipated the House vote, readying his veto pen. “The bill’s objective is clearly to nullify and block implementation of these executive actions, which would have devastating consequences,” he simply said. “It would lead to the separation of families and prevent additional DREAMers from fully contributing to American life.”
“Rather than deport students and separate families and make it harder for law enforcement to do its job, I just want the Congress to work with us to pass a commonsense law to fix that broken immigration system,” he continued.
More plays from the House are still being considered, including limiting the length of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration, until February or March of next year. It would give the GOP more bargaining leverage with a majority in the Senate. The current government-funding measure expires Dec. 11, so a new one must pass by then.
The stakes grow higher on immigration reform as Republicans will take control of both houses of Congress next year. The GOP is unlikely to drop its frustration with Obama’s use of executive action, but the Senate will have a larger voice in any eventual steps taken.
(With reports from Associated Press, NBC News)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek December 3-5, 2014 Sec. A pg.1)
