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WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has begun debating a measure that would authorize a lawsuit against President Barack Obama -- with Democrats labeling it a political charade.
The suit would accuse Obama of violating the Constitution by exceeding his executive powers.
On the House floor, Republican Doug Lamborn of Colorado said, "We will do whatever it takes to hold him and future occupants of the Oval Office accountable."
Democrat Donald Payne of New Jersey asked what it is about Obama that makes Republicans "resort to anything to de-legitimize him."
Obama himself told a crowd in Kansas City today that the suit is a "political stunt" at taxpayer expense. He said Republicans should "stop just hating all the time" -- and that they only have a few more years before they "can be mad at the next president."
The lawsuit would focus on how Obama has carried out his health care overhaul. Republicans say Obama has illegally changed the law using executive actions. The White House and Democrats say he's acted legally. In particular, Republicans have objected that Obama has twice delayed the law's so-called employer mandate, which he did under pressure from business groups.
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APPHOTO DCSA102: Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., listens to comments by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md., as she and fellow Democrats criticize the efforts of Republicans to muscle legislation through the House authorizing an election-year lawsuit against President Barack Obama that accuses him of exceeding his powers in enforcing his health care law, Wednesday, July 30, 2014, during a news conference on Capitol in Washington. Democrats have branded the effort a political charade aimed at stirring up Republican voters for the fall congressional elections. They say it's also an effort by top Republicans to mollify conservatives who want Obama to be impeached — something House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Tuesday he has no plans to do. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (30 Jul 2014)
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APPHOTO DCSA129: House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, leads the the panel on procedural steps to authorize the House to seek a lawsuit against President Barack Obama for, as the resolution charges, failing to carry out his duties as required by the Constitution regarding the Affordable Care Act, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Republican leaders say Obama has violated his constitutional duty to faithfully execute the law, insisting that he has enforced laws as he wants to, dangerously shifting power to the presidency from Congress. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (29 Jul 2014)
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