Sunday, November 16, 2014

'We've warned him': Republicans bash Obama on executive actions


'We've warned him': Republicans bash Obama on executive actions
                         
At a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs holds a hearing, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, listens as witnesses from the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, June 9, 2014. At left is Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Republicans took aim Saturday at President Obama’s executive actions, accusing him of ignoring the will of voters.

“After the election, the president may have said ‘I hear you,’ but by the looks of things, it’s just the opposite,” Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, said in the weekly GOP address.

Wenstrup cited Obama’s call for “net neutrality” rules for the Internet and an agreement with China to lower carbon emissions as an example of ignoring voters, who on Nov. 4 flipped 20 congressional Democratic seats and gave Republicans the Senate majority. Wenstrup also faulted Obama’s planned executive action on immigration, which reports indicate could involve providing work permits and benefits to millions of people living here illegally.

“We've warned him that such action would make it that much harder to pass immigration reform and find common ground,” Wenstrup said.

Obama has promised to take executive action on immigration by the end of the year, unless Congress acts on a comprehensive plan before then. Republicans want to tackle immigration reform when they take over the Senate in January.

In the meantime, Republicans in the House are promoting their pro-energy and pro-jobs agenda. In the weekly address, Wenstrup pointed to Friday’s passage of a House GOP bill to allow the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project and promised consideration of a bill that would encourage businesses to hire military veterans. Wenstrup said Republicans will also “take on Obamacare,” and will propose Congress “has the final say on new major regulations.”

Republicans believe Obama’s use of regulatory and executive actions have hurt businesses and raised energy prices.

Obama said he has been forced to act unilaterally because Republicans in Congress have blocked legislative action.




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