By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, January 6 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R from Montgomery) was sworn in for her third term in the House of Representatives.
The conservative congresswoman promised in a written statement that she would hit the ground running on pressing issues like immigration enforcement, Veterans Affairs improvement, relief for working Americans, and proper funding for the military. Representative Roby said, “I’m grateful for the trust voters placed in me by returning me to Congress, and I’m deeply honored to continue representing Alabama’s 2nd District. We have unfinished business to take care of on behalf of the American people, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Rep. Roby said, “Partisan gridlock over the last several years has kept our country from making progress on many important issues. Hardworking taxpayers are still being squeezed in this economy, and federal policies on healthcare and energy aren’t helping. Our military is dangerously stretched for resources, leaving our readiness compromised. And President Obama’s reckless executive actions continue to threaten the checks and balances so critical to preserving our government ‘of the people.’”
Among the “unfinished business” Congress needs to pass, Rep. Roby includes: legislation reining in what she called years’ worth of Executive Branch overreaches, repairing the damage of sequestration military cuts, and improving the delivery of health care and benefits to veterans exposed in last year’s VA scandal.
Rep. Roby said, “House Republicans have made great strides toward addressing these issues, but have been greatly hindered by a Democratic-controlled Senate. With Republicans now in the majority in both chambers, I am optimistic we successfully tackle many of these pressing issues with commonsense solutions on behalf of the American people.”
Rep. Roby introduced a bill this week aimed to block President Obama’s overreaching immigration actions using the “power of the purse.”
Rep. Roby said, “We have a responsibility to block President Obama’s dangerous, unconstitutional immigration orders to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. In fact, I will be introducing legislation right away that wields the ‘power of the purse’ to prevent President Obama from carrying out his executive amnesty plans.”
Representative Roby’s bill, H.R. 31, The Prevention of Executive Amnesty Act, is meant to present model language that can be used in a Homeland Security Appropriations title to block President Obama’s unilateral executive actions.
Rep. Roby said, “President Obama’s attempt to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants isn’t just irresponsible. It’s dangerous. It undermines the rule of law and threatens American jobs.” “Last month Congress went forward with a plan that gave us the best chance to address executive amnesty through the Appropriations process. In doing so, we also made a commitment that we would see that effort through in good faith. That’s why I’m introducing legislation right out the gate that wields the ‘power of the purse’ to prevent President Obama from carrying out his executive amnesty plans. I have spoken directly to the Majority Leader to impress upon our leadership that our Conference must be serious about addressing executive amnesty head on in a straightforward and meaningful way.
Rep. Roby said, “I know there will be a broad and dynamic debate about how to address executive amnesty, but let’s start the conversation right here. I believe this language gives us a great starting point for blocking executive amnesty by using the ‘power of the purse,’ so let’s go from here.”
If the House and Senate both pass Roby’s bill it faces a questionable future when it gets to President Obama’s desk. The President is not likely to sign legislation that would weaken his own power and while Republicans control both Houses of Congress they do not have the two thirds number in each house necessary to override a Presidential veto.
Upsetting some conservatives, Rep, Roby voted for Representative John Boehner (R from Ohio) to return as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Roby was reappointed to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Appropriations subcommittees for the 114th Congress have not yet been assigned.
Congresswoman Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District.
