Randy's Roundup: Responding to the President's Unilateral Actions

Wishing You a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving
In a few days, we’ll all sit down with our loved ones to share a turkey and our thanks.  I’m thankful for so much this year – my happy and healthy family, a strong and free America, and the opportunity to represent you and your neighbors in Texas’ 19th District.  Dana and I send our best wishes to you and your families for a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. 

The President’s Unilateral Action on Immigration
President Obama has disregarded the U.S. Constitution countless times in his six years in the White House.  But his announcement Thursday to unilaterally reform our immigration system without the necessary congressional approval completely tramples over our nation’s system of checks and balances.  For those of you that missed it: the President outlined a proposal to delay the deportations and provide new options for about four million illegal immigrants.

Many of you have called in to share your outrage.  And I agree.  His plan for executive amnesty ignores our Constitution and the desires of the American people.  His failure to enforce our current law is an affront to the millions of families who have played by the rules and worked hard towards becoming American citizens.  I’ve had the honor of assisting many immigrants in TX19 as they navigate the legal immigration process and work towards the American Dream.  They’ve worked hard, and they deserve better from this Administration.

I’m listening to your ideas, and I’m ready to work with my colleagues in Congress to use every tool available to hold the President accountable to you.

House Lawsuit Against Obamacare
On Friday, the House of Representatives officially filed a lawsuit against the Obama Administration for its unprecedented overreach.  The lawsuit specifically challenges two facets of Obamacare: the two unlawful delays of the employer mandate, and the insurance subsidies the government hands out outside of the congressional appropriations process. 

The Administration is “enforcing” rules that Congress didn’t include in the law – in fact, they’re acting outside of the law entirely.  The lawyer taking our case, Jonathan Turley, summed up the arguments before the House Rules Committee and on his personal blog.  While Mr. Turley has been described as a “liberal lawyer” and has supported President Obama in the past, he realizes the Constitution and our system of checks and balances trump politics. I voted for the resolution to authorize the lawsuit in July, and I fully support the action we took on Friday to officially challenge the President’s power grab in the courts.