Cole Statement on President’s Plan to Grant Executive Amnesty

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after President Barack Obama addressed the nation, announcing that he will grant executive amnesty to approximately 5 million illegal immigrants. 

“I am amazed that the president insists on going ahead with action that he has said, on multiple occasions, he would not and could not constitutionally take,” said Cole. “I am deeply disappointed that the president refuses to work with lawmakers who represent the beliefs of the American people. Without question, decisions on such controversial issues as immigration should be carried out by working together in a bipartisan manner, including the president seeking congressional oversight and approval. Instead, the president is unfortunately taking the go-it-alone approach and complicating the future of real immigration reform in the process. 

“The president should always seek to unite, rather than divide the American people. Especially with such a highly charged issue, the president is yet again missing the opportunity to work with lawmakers and show the country that government can function and find solutions to the challenges facing our country. By choosing not to work with Congress to actually solve the issue, the president has chosen to pit lawmakers and the Americans they represent against each other by taking this rash action. 

“In the days and months ahead, I hope that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will engage in discussion on the immigration issue, restore order to the legislative process and rein in White House overreach. When dealing with such complex and controversial issues, Americans should be able to rest assured that all branches of government are working together,” concluded Cole.

###

Contact: Sarah Corley (202) 225-6165