House Speaker John Boehner is currently mulling over whether or not to sue President Barack Obama for allegedly abusing his powers as head of the executive branch.
Boehner's plan to sue- or not sue- the president stems from concerns that the Obama administration made certain decisions without prior approval from Congress, thus overstepping the powers awarded to the executive by the constitution, Repubilcans claim.
"The President has a clear record of ignoring the American people's elected representatives and exceeding his constitutional authority, which has dangerous implications for both our systems of government and our economy," Michael Steel, spokesman for Boehner, told CNN on Tuesday.
Steel did not say exactly when Boehner will make his decision. He also did not specify which actions of the president Boehner intends to challenge.
The pending lawsuit comes after the Defense Department did not notify congress about an agreement to free five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for the Taliban's release of an American soldier held captive for five years.
Republicans slammed Obama in early June for violating a law that requires the president to give Congress 30 days' notice before transferring prisoners from the Cuba-based military prison.
Boehner confirmed on Wednesday that he is thinking about suing the president.
"This is not about impeachment- it's about him faithfully executing the laws of this country," Boehner said according to Fox News.
The House Democrats have expressed disapproval of Boehner's attempt.
"While the urgent needs of the American people are ignored by House Republicans, it is reprehensible that Speaker Boehner plans another doomed, legal boondoggle after he spent $2.3 million in taxpayer dollars unsuccessfully defending discrimination in federal courts," Drew Hammill, spokesman for House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, said according to CNN.
This is not the first time the Republican-controlled House has attacked the President's powers. Two bills were introduced that sought to limit executive orders issued by the President. However both never made it past the Senate, which is controlled by the Democrats.
