Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) defended the Republican-led efforts to defund President Barack Obama’s immigration action Wednesday, giving one of his now-signature fiery speeches.
“His position may have changed, after the election I hasten to add, but the Constitution has not. That document is clear, time-tested and true. And it says that this body passes laws and it is the responsibility of the chief executive to make sure those laws are faithfully enforced. If this president’s unilateral, extra-Constitutional acts are not stopped, future presidents will no doubt expand that power of the executive branch and threaten the constitutional equilibrium,” Gowdy said.
The House passed legislation that removes protections for immigrants brought illegally to the country as children by including it in the $39.7 billion spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security
Democrats criticized Republicans for using the DHS bill to defund Obama’s immigration plans,claiming that it might force a shut down of parts of DHS. Obama has already said he would veto the bill, and it’s unclear if it will have enough support in the Senate.
But Gowdy said that this shouldn’t be this controversial.
“This is not a fight between Republicans and Democrats. It’s not even a fight over immigration reform. This is a fight over whether this branch of government will ever find the courage to stand up for itself,” Gowdy said.
“The same document that this and all presidents swear to defend gives this body certain tools, tools like the power of the purse. And it’s about damn time we use that tool.”
Watch Gowdy’s speech below:
