Rep. Raul Labrador on Sunday called for the House of Representatives to censure President Obama for taking executive action to grant temporary legal status and work permits to 4.1 million undocumented immigrants.
The Idaho Republican, who affiliates with the Tea Party, said Obama’s unilateral move violates the Constitution. He urged his fellow Republicans to pass legislation to defund the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration, as a means to try and roll back the president’s action. The government is due to run out of operating funds on Dec. 12 absent lawmakers appropriating more money.
However, Labrador said on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that Republicans should also respond by debating and approving immigration reform bills that prioritize border security, and then address the issue of how to deal with the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S. Democrats are opposed to the GOP’s step-by-step approach, preferring comprehensive legislation.
“It was illegal for the president to do this. He has been saying it for the last three years that he did not have the authority to do it and now he changed his mind,” Labrador said. “What we should do about it is, No. 1, I think we should censure the president of the United States. I think it’s unfortunate that he did this, I think we need to lay out clearly why this is unlawful, I think we need to pass a funding bill that separates Homeland Security from that funding bill.”
Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., defended Obama’s executive action, and said there is a simple solution for Republicans who are troubled by the White House sidestepping Congress.
“Comprehensive immigration reform secures the border,” he said.
