Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Diane Black (R-TN) have already introduced legislation that would defund Obama’s executive action on immigration:
Their bill, titled The Separation of Powers Act, would block the use of funds for deferring deportations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally or providing work permits.
Poe said the legislation would reinforce the constitutional principle of checks and balances.
“This legislation will allow Congress to exercise its ‘check’ on an out-of-control White House that treats the Constitution as a mere suggestion, not the law of the land,” Poe said.
Black said the measure could be one of the options for Republicans to respond to President Obama’s action.
“My colleagues and I will explore our options to stop this overreach and restore the proper Constitutional balance to our government — this legislation is an important start,” Black said.
Unfortunately, it’s unclear if the legislation will actually work, as the agency that processes work permits, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is funded through application fees and not subject to the appropriations process.
