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Guthrie Backs Bill to Prevent Executive Overreach on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Brett Guthrie today voted in support of H.R. 5759, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014.

“Two weeks ago President Obama once again acted unilaterally – this time to alter our nation’s immigration laws,” said Congressman Guthrie.  “His flagrant disregard for the separation of powers and the role of Congress to make our nation’s laws disrespects the will of the American people.”

“Article 2, Section 3 of the Constitution clearly dictates that the president is required to faithfully execute our nation’s laws. What we are seeing today is a president who picks and chooses which laws he wants to enforce,” added Congressman Guthrie.

H.R. 5759 prevents President Obama (or any future president) from exempting the removal of specific groups of unlawful aliens, except when using Constitutional powers over foreign affairs or humanitarian and law enforcement circumstances.  In doing so, it also reaffirms that the Constitution only grants lawmaking powers to Congress, and that it is the president’s job to enforce such laws.  

“Our nation’s immigration system is broken and need to be addressed, but just as Congress reviews other issues of concern, it must be done through regular order,” said Congressman Guthrie.

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