Boehner on Obama’s Immigration Action: ‘He’s Going to Burn Himself’ (Video)
In his first news conference after Tuesday’s elections, Speaker John A. Boehner had stern words for President Barack Obama and his expected executive action on immigration, telling the president he was inviting “big trouble” if he continued to act without Congress on issues such as immigration.
Asked whether the president would be “poisoning the well” with Congress if he issued an executive action on immigration, Boehner offered this advice: “When you play with matches, you take the risk of burning yourself. And he’s going to burn himself if he continues to go down this path.”
“The American people made it clear on Election Day,” Boehner said, “they want to get things done — and they don’t want the president acting on a unilateral basis.”
Boehner has planned to sue the president for months over his changes to insurance coverage mandates in the 2010 health care law, though the lawsuit has not officially been filed.
The administration has said he plans to act on immigration before the Christmas holidays, though officials have not offered an official timeline.
Related:
Power Plays: House Gavel and Ranking Member Battles
GOP Gavel Fights: 11 House Committee Chairmanships In Play
What Election Night Meant for House Democratic Leadership
Despite Drubbing, Pelosi and Hoyer Plan to Stick Around
The Boehner-McConnell Relationship: Mutual Respect, Low Drama
McConnell Warns Senate Control Could Be Unclear Until January
Boehner Lists Tax Reform Among House GOP’s Top Priorities for 2015
Roll Call Results Map: Results and District Profiles for Every Seat
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.