U.S. House votes to sue president over Obamacare decision

By Susan Ferrechio | Washington Examiner

The House on Thursday passed a resolution authorizing an unprecedented congressional lawsuit against President Obama over his use of executive authority to delay the employer mandate in the health insurance reform law.

The measure passed 225-201, solely with Republican votes. All Democrats and five GOP lawmakers voted against it.

The resolution gives House GOP leaders the green light to begin building a legal case against theexecutive branch, including the hiring of lawyers and filing the suit in federal court, “for actions by the president inconsistent with his duties under the Constitution of the United States.”

Republicans say they were prompted to pursue a lawsuit after years of Obama’s use of executive authority to circumvent Congress. Obama has often touted his executive authority to move parts of his agenda despite opposition from Republicans in Congress.

The chief proponent of the lawsuit, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told lawmakers in a floor speech that members of both parties have a duty to defend the Constitution, which he believes Obama has violated.

at Washington Examiner.