Rep. Stewart votes for bill opposing President Obama’s executive immigration initiatives
Written by Greta HylandToday, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) voted to defund the president’s executive immigration initiatives through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Funding bill.
According to Stewart, this bill, which passed the House 263-191, funds Homeland Security, while also reaffirming the constitutional principles that only Congress has the power to write immigration laws.
Republicans opposed to the President’s immigration policies claim that the President’s role is simply to enforce existing laws. The bill now goes to the senate. Republicans have a 54-46 Senate majority and would need to persuade some Democrats to vote against Obama’s executive action to lift the threat of deportation for millions of undocumented immigrants. The House measure is expected to ban money from being used to implement the order.
The White House has said it would veto a DHS funding bill with immigration restrictions.
According to a report in Reuters, “Funding for the sprawling agency that secures U.S. borders, airports and coastal waters will be cut off on Feb. 27 if Congress and the White House cannot agree on a plan.”
“As a former Air Force pilot, I know first-hand that we live in a very dangerous world, and there’s a real need for protection from the various agencies and programs under the Department of Homeland Security,” said Rep. Stewart. “But regardless of policy, the Constitution is clear – it’s the responsibility of Congress to write the law and the president’s job is to enforce those laws. This bill prevents President Obama – and future presidents – from abusing their authority through immigration executive orders.”
In addition to funding the Department of Homeland Security, this bill:
– Completely defunds Obama’s unconstitutional immigration executive order.
– Increases funding for Border Security.
– Effectively ends the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Program.
– Prevents Illegal aliens from receiving federal benefits.
– Adds amendments that ensure no president (current or future) will be able to carry out similar immigration power grabs by memo, executive order or regulation.
