John Boehner and GOP Leadership Must Act Now to Defund Amnesty

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "GOP leadership must follow the wishes of the American public and its own rank-and-file members by seizing the opportunity now – not next year - to defund President Obama's unlegislated amnesty.  If House Speaker John Boehner fails to do so, voters will hold him accountable as a co-conspirator in the president's plan," charged Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).

"Speaker Boehner and others in the House leadership have made a conscious decision to allow the Obama amnesty to proceed, while falsely claiming that they are unable to choke off the funds necessary to carry it out. Their inaction makes it clear that they want amnesty for millions of illegal aliens without having to assume the political responsibility for an unpopular program that will undermine the interests of the American people," said Stein.

The Republican-controlled House, where the $1.1 trillion funding bill originated, has thus far refused to cut off funding for the president's amnesty program, even though they have explicit authority to do so. A Nov. 21^st opinion rendered by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) states definitively that Congress has the power to prevent funds from being spent to carry out the president's program, even though the agency charged with implementing it is largely funded by fees.

Even more telling, the so-called Cromnibus bill heading for a vote on the floor includes numerous provisions restricting the use of fees collected by other federal agencies. "There is simply no truth to the speaker's claim that he lacks the authority to defund the Obama amnesty. What he and the Republican leadership lack is the political will to stand up for the interests of American workers and taxpayers, and for Congress's constitutional authority over immigration policy," Stein continued.

"House leadership still has time to take definitive action to defund executive amnesty in the spending bill now headed to the floor. If the outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) attempts to block a defunding provision, it is he who will be holding funding for the Department of Homeland Security hostage to the president's unlegislated amnesty.

"However, if the House moves forward with a bill that does not defund Obama's amnesty program, the speaker and the new Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) can expect intense public pressure to carry out their responsibilities when the DHS funding bill returns to Congress in February. The 'we can't do anything about it' argument simply does not hold water," concluded Stein.

"FAIR is urging all members of Congress to exercise their budgetary power now, not later, to stop the president's lawless action," concluded Stein.  

About FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group.  With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests.  FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

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