House votes to sue Obama for ‘exceeding powers’

WASHINGTON — A sharply divided United States House of Representatives voted to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional powers in the way he enforced the 2010 healthcare law.

During an impassioned hour-long debate, Republicans accused the President of flouting the law and breaking a solemn constitutional oath. They say he went too far in selectively enforcing parts of the healthcare overhaul — the signature legislation of his presidency — such as by delaying the requirement that many employers provide health insurance for their workers.

Democrats retorted that the lawsuit is a campaign-year stunt designed to draw conservative voters to the polls in congressional elections in November. They also say it may be a prelude to an effort to impeach Obama, a suggestion top Republicans say is groundless.

The House vote on Wednesday was 225 to 201. No Democrats voted for the plan. The lawsuit was House Speaker John Boehner’s version of what might be termed impeachment-light — a way to send a signal that Republicans would fight the President’s efforts to revise laws Congress had passed while not going as far as many on the right would like.

But, as the Speaker has found with other efforts to appease the right wing of his party, he was not well received. Some Republicans responded by calling for Mr Obama’s impeachment, stirring up just the kind of intra-party fight that Mr Boehner had hoped to avoid.

He also faced criticism from prominent conservatives. Blogger Erick Erickson called it “political theatre”, while Mr Mark Levin, the popular radio host and former Reagan administration official, called it a “foolish move” that made him cringe.

Democrats, including the President, agree. Mr Obama said the vote to file a lawsuit is taking away time that lawmakers could be spending on issues important to the American people. He described the measure as a “political stunt” and said he took action on his own because Congress is not doing anything to help him.

Every Republican lawmaker opposed Mr Obama’s healthcare overhaul. Republicans argue that Mr Obama has illegally changed the law by using executive actions that do not require Congress approval. But the White House and Democrats countered that he has acted legally and within his powers as chief executive.

Republicans point out other examples of Mr Obama exceeding his powers. These include failing to notify Congress in advance when he traded five Taliban members held at the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the captive Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl and unilaterally preventing the deportation of some children who illegally immigrated to the US.

Federal courts are often reluctant to intervene in disputes between the executive and legislative branches. For the suit to survive, Republicans would have to prove that the House had been injured by Mr Obama’s actions. And even if the lawsuit was heard, it is unclear whether it could be decided while Mr Obama was still in office.

Democrats have turned the lawsuit and rumblings of impeachment into a financial boon. The party claimed to have raised US$1 million (S$1.25 million) on Monday alone. “Don’t let this stand,” read one fund-raising email sent this week by the Democratic National Committee. “Chip in US$10 or more before Thursday’s deadline to fight back.”

The Republican Party also went to work. An email called the House vote a “huge step’’ in curbing Mr Obama and added: “Contribute right now to end Obama’s executive overreach by expanding our Republican majority in the House and gaining a majority in the Senate.” AGENCIES