House Speaker
John Boehner responded to reports that President Barack Obama is seeking to use his executive authority to act on immigration, saying such a move would solidify his "legacy of lawlessness."
Speaking to reporters, Boehner said, "If the president takes these actions, he'll be sealing the deal on his legacy of lawlessness. He'll be violating the solemn oath he made to the American people on the day of his inauguration. And he'll be sacrificing the integrity of our laws on the altar of political opportunism. And I can guarantee you, the American people will hold him accountable."
Boehner's cautionary comments came a day after the House voted 225-201 to
initiate a lawsuit against the Obama administration for actions that are unconstitutional.
According to
Talking Points Memo, Obama administration officials have been talking about using his executive authority to grant work permits to illegal immigrants and allowing them to remain in the country to work.
Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Munoz, White House Counsel Neil Eggleston, and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson have been meeting to chart a course on immigration. They also have been hosting meetings with immigration reform advocates and other special interests, Talking Points Memo reported.
On July 30, the Senate voted 63-33 to pass a $2.7 billion emergency spending measure to deal with the influx of Central American illegal immigrants coming across the southern border.
The House had planned today to vote on its own $659 million spending bill, which would be more focused on securing the border, but it was tabled after Republican leaders were unable to garner enough support for it,
The Hill reported.
The House is scheduled to leave for its August recess Thursday, and the Senate plans to adjourn Friday.
Also Thursday, Obama signed the
Fair Pay and Safe Workplace executive order, which would require "prospective federal contractors to disclose labor law violations and will give agencies more guidance on how to consider labor violations when awarding federal contracts."