Monday, November 24, 2014

Graves: President Obama is not above the rule of law

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

“The notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order – that’s just not the case. Congress passes the law. The executive branch’s job is to enforce and implement those laws.” These are President Obama's own words on immigration in March of 2011.

However, the President recently announced that he will disregard the limits on executive authority that he himself outlined in 2011, and bypass Congress in issuing an executive order shielding 5 million illegal immigrants from deportation. By refusing to follow the law and further expanding his authority, President Obama has effectively granted amnesty to millions of people who entered our country illegally.

Not only is this action potentially unconstitutional, it does nothing to fix the long-term immigration problems we face as a country. It sends the wrong message to all those who went through the extensive process of becoming citizens the legal way, and more importantly, it sends the message to future generations of immigrants that there are no consequences for breaking our laws.

Amnesty rewards those who have cheated the system and punishes those who played by the rules. I strongly oppose this amnesty order and Obama’s attempt to bypass the legislative process.

We are a nation of laws and no one is above the rule of law – not this or any President.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

At least Graves didn't call Obama a "monkey" like a local Joplin Globe columnist did.

Anonymous said...

when and where did the monkey reference take place that is interesting

Anonymous said...

It was in the form of a tweet. You can read a story on it here: http://duanegraham.wordpress.com/