Lance: House Should Join Court Challenge of Executive Amnesty

Statement

Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives speaking in strong support of a House resolution (H. Res. 639) that would add the House of Representatives as an institution in support a court challenge to President Obama's executive orders on amnesty for illegal immigrants.

"I continue to oppose President Obama's illegal amnesty program. I have long believed that the proper venue to challenging the President's overreaching actions is primarily in the courts of this country," said Lance during the debate period. "As a lawyer who has practiced constitutional law in my home state of New Jersey, I have tried to study these issues closely. There is no gray area: Congress writes the laws, and the executive branch enforces them."

Lance was one of 68 members of Congress -- and the only member of the New Jersey congressional delegation -- to previously sign an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by a coalition of 26 states against the President's executive order on immigration. Today's vote puts the full House on record in joining support of the suit.

"Prosecutorial discretion cannot be expanded to break the rule of law. Given the President's gross executive overreach, it is essential for this institution to respond as a whole. This action today is not only prudent but an important and necessary step in defense of the Constitution and the rule of law," Lance concluded.

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