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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Western Pennsylvania Republicans Criticize President
November 21, 2014
WASHINGTON – Western Pennsylvania Republicans joined the vitriolic GOP choir’s bitter refrain Thursday night after President Barack Obama issued expansive executive orders on immigration
Republicans are incensed that the president acted without congressional authority to protect 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation. Critics characterized the approach as amnesty while supporters called it common-sense reform.
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, said he is outraged that Mr. Obama would make sweeping policy changes by executive order when he could have addressed immigration through legislative channels, particularly during his first two years in office when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress. “He has broad executive powers, but you’re not supposed to abuse those powers. This is going to rip the country apart and divide us even further,” he said. “This is about his personal legacy and what he thinks he can accomplish. That takes precedence over everything else.”
Administration aides and congressional Democrats say that wasn’t an option for Mr. Obama because House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, hasn’t allowed a floor vote on immigration legislation that already passed the Senate.
“The Republicans put him in a situation of having no choice but to act because they refuse to act, but understand that the president and this member of Congress would much prefer to see this done legislatively,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills. “I’m sorry it’s reached this point. I think we all would have preferred legislation but the Republicans have made it quite clear they have no intention of bringing forward comprehensive immigration reform in the House.”
Western Pennsylvania lawmakers’ reaction fell predictably along party lines, but Republicans and Democrats agreed that they prefer congressional action to executive orders.
U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus of Sewickley said Mr. Obama overstepped his bounds Thursday, and that immigration reform would be stronger and more comprehensive if policies were created through collaborative legislative processes.
“We have a process for changing the law under our constitution: Congress will take it up, we go back and forth, we have an analysis of the subject matter at hearings, and we develop a product that goes to a president who decides whether or not to sign it,” Mr. Rothfus said.
Mr. Kelly said he agrees that there is a need for reform but until Congress changes them, the administration is obligated to follow existing laws. “We are a nation of laws, and when you start to pick and choose to enforce only those you agree with then you devolve into chaos.”
Sen Pat Toomey, R-Pa., also blasted Mr. Obama’s approach, calling it an overreach of legal authority.
“America’s immigration system is badly broken and cries out for reform, including stronger border security and adequate opportunities for legal immigration,” he said. “Regrettably, President Obama’s unilateral and legally unauthorized actions will do nothing to fix our broken system, and could encourage even more illegal immigration.”
Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, said amnesty will only encourage more immigrants to enter the country illegally. Government should instead focus on border security, he said.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said: “Republicans and Democrats agree that our immigration system is broken. Given Speaker Boehner's refusal to allow a vote on the bipartisan Senate bill, I believe President Obama took appropriate steps tonight to address some of our nation’s immigration challenges. The president’s decision will make sure that our priorities are focused where they should be — on preventing threats to our national security and public safety.”
Washington Bureau Chief Tracie Mauriello: tmauriello@post-gazette.com, 703-996-9292 or on Twitter @pgPoliTweets.
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