[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13384]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           LET'S NOT WASTE PRECIOUS TIME SUING THE PRESIDENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, with 3 legislative days left before 
Congress leaves for a 5-week vacation, Democrats are working to advance 
the priorities of the American people: creating jobs, jump-starting the 
middle class, and working to reform our broken immigration system. The 
majority, however, seems only interested in advancing a lawsuit against 
the President of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, this is wrong, very wrong. Suing the President--for 
what, for doing his job? This is the first time in the history of our 
Nation that one branch of government is bringing a lawsuit against 
another branch of government. What an incredible way to uphold the 
separation of power among branches of government.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people sent us here to tackle big problems 
and do real work on their behalf. This lawsuit is only further proof 
that House Republicans have lost touch with the American people.
  Not only is this lawsuit a waste of time, but it is a serious waste 
of taxpayers' money. Just as House Republicans spent $2.3 million 
defending discrimination during the DOMA case, and the $3 million they 
are spending on the Select Committee on Benghazi, they are now poised 
to waste yet more money on a political stunt that is deeply unpopular 
with the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, we have critical work to do. I strongly urge my 
colleagues to do what is right. We should stay here in Washington to 
deal with issues like immigration reform, veterans' health care, and 
the economy. Let's not waste precious time and money on political 
stunts like suing the President. We owe it to the American people.

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