Speech #1130123715

I think. And the same with what this administration has done in the underlying bills that this bill allows us to address in the Presidents recent executive order. The bill reaffirms that CongressCongresshas the power to write the immigration laws. It reaffirms that the President must enforce the laws that are currently on the books. not something that he wishes. but what is currently law of the land. Mr. Speaker. the Presidents actions have gotten so out of hand that we now must pass bills to remind him of what the Constitution sets. and that is a shame. We even have to remind the President of what he. himself. has said in the past about what is the appropriate role of the office of President. Speaking in 2011 in a Univision town hall. the President stated: With respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order. that is just not the case because there are laws on the books. He also said that Congress passes the laws. and it is the executive branchs job to enforce and implement those laws. and then it is up to the judiciary to interpret those laws if there is a question. The President even said that there are enough laws on the books by Congress that are very clear in terms of how we have to enforce our immigration system. That. for me. is simple enough. And the President said that: through executive order. to ignore those congressional mandates would not conform with my appropriate role as President.