During an interview yesterday, Republican House Speaker John Boehner said that he isn’t going to rule out another government shutdown over Obama’s executive action regarding immigration, reported Reuters.
“We’re going to fight the president tooth and nail if he continues down this path. This is the wrong way to govern,” said Boehner, who would allow another government shutdown. “All of the options are on the table. We’re having discussions with our members, and no decisions have been made as to how we will fight if he proceeds.”
According to Reuters, 62 House Republicans have signed a letter created by Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) which demands that the new spending bill ban funding needed to implement any action taken by Obama. And with Democrats still in control of the Senate, they’re unlikely to accept such restrictions, as well as the bill facing Obama’s veto.
“As you know, the Congress has the power of the purse and should use it as a tool to prevent the President from implementing policies that are contrary to our laws and the desire of the American people,” read part of the letter.
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has dramatically called upon fellow Republicans to use that power to block “Obama’s anticipated, unconstitutional act to be implemented, for if it is it will destroy the pillars of American Exceptionalism.”
“The audacity of this President to think he can completely destroy the Rule of Law with the stroke of a pen is unfathomable to me,” he theatrically continued. “It is unconstitutional, it is cynical, and it violates the will of the American people. Our Republic will not stand if we tolerate a President who is set upon the complete destruction of the Rule of Law.”
In the same fashion as last year, the shutdown would result from the Republicans’ refusal to pass the newest spending bill for the next year as is. Because they want things their way or no way, they would be holding the federal government hostage to get their ransom yet again.
In order to avoid another shutdown, the spending bill must be approved by December 11.
Republicans initially denied last year’s spending bill because it provided funding to the Affordable Care Act. Their stubborn and obstructionist ways held the government hostage, and thousands of government workers lost pay because the GOP was having a tantrum.
