Answering Obama's Illegal Edict On Immigration
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S EDICT on immigration marks the most blatant attempt to subvert the Constitution since Franklin Roosevelt tried to pack the Supreme Court in 1937. Here’s how Republicans should respond to this constitutional crisis.
–A resolution. Pass a resolution in January affirming that the Constitution is not a mere scrap of paper, a relic meant only for public viewing in the Smithsonian, like antique airplanes; that the President of the U.S. is not a four-year monarch who rules by decree–who, if Congress doesn’t do as he commands, can unilaterally enact whatever he wishes by issuing an order.
–The courts. This usurpation must be challenged in the courts–all the way to the Supreme Court. Thankfully, this is in train. The state of Texas, which borders Mexico and thus has standing on this matter, is ready to challenge, via lawsuit, our would-be-king President.
–The power of the purse. With control of both the House and the Senate next year, the GOP will be able to specifically deny the necessary funding to carry out Obama’s decrees. It must do so.
–Confirmations. Senator Ted Cruz (R–Tex.) has proposed that the Senate refuse to confirm any Obama nominee, except for those in areas relating to defense, national security, public safety and law enforcement, until the President backs down. No more judges, no more agency officials, no more Cabinet officers. Cruz’s colleagues should adopt this approach.
The GOP should also start passing pieces of immigration reform to demonstrate that Republicans are not anti-immigrant but are in favor of commonsensical changes.
–H-1B visas. The high-tech industry desperately needs more highly skilled people. The quota for them is absurdly low, forcing companies to move operations overseas. Remove the cap. Despite speculation, Obama proposed virtually nothing on this. Congress must pass such a reform.
–Green cards. The President made noises about green cards, but no specifics were provided. Thousands of foreign students are in the U.S. to earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. Then once they do, we foolishly send most of them right back home. Pass legislation that would allow green cards to be embossed on these students’ diplomas. There’s widespread support for this. A law, not a decree, will guarantee that a future President can’t undo it.
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