Thread: Pete Olson immigration bill takes aim at Obama 'amnesty'

By Kevin Diaz Published 10:57 am, Thursday, July 30, 2015

WASHINGTON – Taking aim at President Barack Obama's unilateral actions on immigration, Sugar Land Republican Pete Olson introduced legislation Thursday that would block funding for the administration's controversial plans to provide work permits and shelter millions of illegal immigrants from deportation.

While the president's executive actions were temporarily halted by a federal judge in Brownsville, Republicans in Congress have been looking for ways to head off an initiative they regard as amnesty.

A new bill filed by Olson, along with Texas Republican Brian Babin of Woodville and Tennessee Republican Phil Roe, would deny the administration the use of examination fees it collects through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Critics of illegal immigration say the fees allow the administration to sidestep Congress' normal budget oversight. Olson's bill would sunset the agency's fee authority in two years – unless extended by Congress.

In a statement, Olson called the bill "an important first step to restore the proper balance of power set forth by the Constitution between the legislative and executive branch in our immigration laws."

An aide to Olson said he plans to use the August recess to build support for the bill in the Republican-led House. Its fate in the Senate, where Obama's Democratic allies could block it, remains uncertain.

http://www.chron.com/news/politics/a...ma-6415026.php

If Boehner cannot block this, McConnell will. Elect republicans they told us in '14. all we have to show for that is trial balloons like this so they can claim they tried. Steers try too, they do not produce calves!