On Wednesday, House lawmakers voted to authorize the filing of a lawsuit against President Barack Obama by House Speaker John Boehner. The lawsuit comes from a complaint that he stepped outside of his legal authority, which has created a possible test to the constitution and provides both sides with a campaign issue for the congressional recess, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The vote in the House came in at 225-201 and Boehner was given the go-ahead to file the lawsuit. It is going to fight the 2013 decision by Obama to waive the federal health-care law’s employer mandate without seeking the consent of Congress.
There were five Republicans in the House that sided with the Democrats when it came to voting against the lawsuit. There were zero Democrats to vote in favor of the lawsuit.
Boehner, prior to the vote, said, “This isn’t about Republicans and Democrats. It’s about defending the Constitution we swore an oath to uphold.”
Also prior to the vote, Obama said, “Everybody recognizes this is a political stunt. But it’s worse than that, because every vote they’re taking like that means a vote they’re not taking to actually help you.”
It seems as though both sides are going to use the lawsuit to campaign ahead of the November midterm elections when they go to their districts this week.