Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) voted to authorize the House to file a historic legal brief challenging the constitutionality of President Obama’s executive order on illegal immigration. Prior to House passage of the resolution, Rep. Bost addressed his colleagues urging them to join him in upholding Congress’ exclusive authority to make law.

“There’s one document that must guide everything we do here; that document is the U.S. Constitution,” said Rep. Bost.  “I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and I’m fulfilling that oath.  I expect the President to do the same.  Unfortunately, he’s repeatedly chosen to ignore laws he does not personally like, and even create new law where none exists.  It doesn’t work that way.

“The laws of this nation clearly state that individuals who are here illegally must be removed.  When the President subverts the law’s intent by cherry picking who stays and who goes, he is abandoning his enforcement responsibility under the Constitution.  Congress cannot let this executive amnesty stand, and that’s why it’s so important we take our fight to the Courts.”

H. Res. 639 allows the Speaker of the House to file an amicus brief to act as an impartial advisor in the United States v. Texas case, which will examine the constitutionality of President Obama’s DAPA program, which he enacted through executive order in November 2014.  This is the first time the House of Representatives has voted to file such a brief to the United States Supreme Court.

To watch Rep. Bost address his House colleagues on this issue, click here.

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