Government funding fight proves US Congress dysfunctional
- By Mitchell Blatt
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, February 16, 2015
In 2013, the Republican Party tried and failed to block funding for the "Obamacare" private health insurance program, although it did ensure a two week long federal government shutdown.
Obama already had the funds for his health care program, but the Republican action prevented passage of a bill for continued funding of government operations in general. A majority of the public blamed the Republicans for the mess and the party's image slumped.
Yet, now, they are trying the same thing with President Obama's controversial program to deal with illegal immigration through "executive amnesty," which may or may not lead to a temporary shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
It all started shortly after Republicans won control of the Senate in the November 2014 midterm elections, thus gaining control in both legislative chambers and making life difficult for Obama. In regard to the immigrants issue, the President responded by announcing he would bypass Congress through an "executive action" to provide temporary protective status and work permits for some 5 million illegal immigrants under certain criteria.
It wasn't the first time Obama made a policy change unilaterally - in 2012, through a program called "Deferred Action," he offered protection to people who came to the U.S. illegally as children.
Republicans see this as an abuse of power and a violation of federal immigration law. The president doesn't have the power to change people's legal work status unilaterally, they say. The Obama administration argues the proposed action falls within the president's authority to determine how a law is applied.
Ultimately, public opinion will decide. The Republicans are trying to stop Obama by voting to deny funding to the office that implements the program. They did the same in 2012, but failed because they didn't then control the Senate. Now they do, but still face a presidential veto.
Moreover, the office of United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services doesn't even require any congressional action because it's self-funded through user fees.
To overcome this difficulty, the Republicans plan to attach a rider to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security to prevent any money being disbursed.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)