Immigration Reform 2014: House Republicans Vote to Sue President for Executive Action; Obama Tells GOP to 'Stop Hatin'

By Angelica Leicht| Jul 30, 2014

The topic of immigration reform has become a heated one across the nation, with the country and lawmakers split down the middle on where they stand. But as the nation argues, is anything getting done about the tens of thousands of Central American children who are pouring across U.S. borders?

The answer to that question is a resounding 'maybe." A number of significant points have been made over the last few days on the topic of immigration, from President Obama's pointed speech on Wednesday, to the voting taking place by the House Republicans, who are set to pass legislation authorizing them to sue POTUS for what they call an "overreach of authority."

Let's take a look at what's going on around the nation in terms of immigration reform.

House Republicans are voting to pass legislation to sue the President:

Citing what they describe as an "overreach of authority," the US House of Representatives is set to pass legislation authorising it to sue President Obama. That resolution is expected to pass the Republican-controlled chamber in a party line vote on Wednesday.

The sponsors of the legislation say President Obama exceeded his powers when he delayed the insurance deadline of his healthcare law, while the White House has responded, saying that the prospective suit is a "political stunt."

Democrats are also pointing out that the "legally groundless" suit will cost taxpayers millions, and is merely meant to be even more divisive in anticipation of the November elections. They maintain that the President has acted within his constitutional authority.

"This lawsuit is frivolous on steroids,'' said Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings on Tuesday. "It's absolutely insane what you all are doing."

Still, House Republicans maintain that the President has misused his executive authority on a number of occasions, citing his order to ease deportations of Central American immigrant children, as well as the prison exchange that freed a soldier held by the Taliban.

In turn, President Obama spoke out against the GOP lawsuit:

Rather than remaining mum on the subject, President Obama showered attention on the move of the House Republicans on Wednesday at a talk in Kansas City, telling the GOP to "stop hain'."

“Stop being mad all the time. Stop just hatin’ all the time,” Obama said at the Uptown Theater here in Kansas City. “Everyone sees this as a political stunt, but it’s worse than that because every vote they’re taking ... means a vote they’re not taking to help people.”

He also pointed out that the main vote of the day was based on suing him for taking executive action.

“The main vote they’ve scheduled for today is whether or not they decide to sue me for doing my job,” Obama said to boos and laughs. “Think about this: They have announced they’re going to sue me for taking executive actions to help people. So they’re mad I’m doing my job,” he said.


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