Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing
this legislation to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, President Obama, just last week, made the action and
said, ``Change the law,'' on immigration granting amnesty to millions
of illegal aliens. The President should not be allowed to do this. In
fact, article II, section 3, of the Constitution requires the President
to take care that the law is being faithfully executed.

On March 28, 2011, President Obama said he would not use an executive
order for amnesty, explaining that, ``Temporary protective status
historically has been used for special circumstances.'' Those are his
words.

More than 20 times, the President said executive action on
immigration would not be appropriate. Nothing has changed in our
Constitution, but now, the administration is singing a different tune.

Mr. Speaker, I am from the Show-Me State. I would love for any of my
colleagues in this body to show me in this document, the Constitution
of the United States, where it grants the President the authority to
change the laws. Article I of the Constitution says Congress will
change the laws, not the President. The President will execute the
laws--faithfully execute the laws.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly support this legislation, and I ask all my
colleagues to do so to stop this action.

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