Obama to Republicans: 'So sue me'
(CNN) - President Barack Obama dared Republicans to follow through on their threats to bring a lawsuit against his administration over his use of executive action.
"Middle-class families can’t wait for Republicans in Congress to do stuff. So sue me," Obama said Tuesday at an event in Washington.
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"As long as they’re doing nothing, I’m not going to apologize for trying to do something."
Obama’s defiant attitude comes as House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, plans to propose legislation that could bring a lawsuit against him for implementing executive actions that the GOP contends amounts to a breach of his constitutional power by side-stepping the legislative process.
Obama: Boehner's lawsuit is 'a stunt'
Recently, Obama has ramped up his use of executive authority as a way to bypass a deeply divided Congress, avoiding inaction on issues the White House has made hallmarks of the President's second term agenda.
On Monday, Obama said he would start "a new effort to fix as much of our immigration system as I can on my own, without Congress."
Poll: Can Obama get the job done?
At Tuesday's event, Obama continued to harp on congressional Republicans to pass legislation - this time pushing them to invest in transportation.
Standing in front of Key Bridge, which connects the city's Georgetown-area to Virginia, Obama continued his stepped-up rhetoric hammering Republican for obstructing action in Washington.
Obama proposed a long-term highway construction bill earlier this year that he says would spur job growth.
"It’s not crazy, it’s not socialism," Obama said of his transportation proposal. "It’s not the imperial presidency - no laws are broken. We’re just building roads and bridges like we’ve been doing for the last, I don’t know, 50, 100 years. But so far, House Republicans have refused to act on this idea."
CNN's Mike Ahlers and Rene Marsh contributed to this report.
Related: Obama’s ‘day in life’ offers opening to tout message and slam Republicans
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What a waste of space House, worst in American history
Its about time he called the republicans on their stated efforts to give the president no legislative victories.
That's the president I know and love.
Remember when obama rammed obamacare down republicans throats? Yeah actions have consequences. Good luck getting anything through once the republicans take over in November mr. president. Your inexperience is shining through!
Republicans can try. Who is weak now?
What a guy! What a leader! What a school yard bully! What a defrocked Chicago "Community Activist"! Nothing like demonizing the opposition then complaining that they won't play nice with you. 1-20-17!
Obama should do us all a big favor; resign and go back to Il.
After suing states for trying to uphold federal law when he will not, the lawsuits backfire on him.
FINALLY!!! Obama has played it safe for too long. He needs to put the Tea Party loons in their place and let them know that their dangerous nonsense won't be tolerated.
Far-left? Are you kidding? Obama is a corporate-centrist that leans slightly to the left; he has his roots but he has clearly embraced and benefited from capitalism and centrism. The wingnuts have been brainwashed by propaganda, pure and simple. And none of you seem to have a clue how our banking and monetary-systems work(where the ultimate power lies), which should be mandatory for every citizen by now, nor have you or your whacked-out anti-everything party done or said anything to help make any progress ...The Democrats leave alot to be desired, but at least they make attempts to allow the vast resources of this country to benefit it's own people. There's nothing evil about it. They are still beholden to the same corrupt plutocracy, yes, but not quite to the extent of Republicans. This is a fact and is proven everyday in every state. You morons have been screeching about a communist takeover of this country for a hundred years. Well guess what? America has been a hybrid capitalist-socialist system since the early 1900s, and we've all benefited from it in one way or another. But it's time for a new way,, as there has never been a balance within these parameters and probably never will be. But first you all got to go learn some things.
Barack Obama will go down as one of our best U.S. Presidents. History will show that he was able to accomplish much even when he was obstructed at every turn by cowardly, racist Republican garbage.
Wow.. Really Obama... If you have to tell people that you aren't a imperialistic president pushing socialism then you are crazy.
I hope know one ever does anything the fruitcake president wants. Only approx 900 days and fruity boy is out of the peoples house
President Obama is absolutely right – and for their own sake, I hope all the RWNJs wake up soon to the fact that they are being played for fools.
Obama should be impeached and removed from office.
Good luck John Boehmer. If nothing else, you have you have solidified your place in history.
This fool really thinks er is a dictator, the Republicans should grow some cajones and impeach the sorry this excuse of a president!!!!!
Go the distance and impeach him.
I hope the GOP makes it a class action suit so 65% of America can join in.
It is very sad to see the POTUS making campaign speeches like this instead of addressing the real issues of the day.
Obama is the absolute worst president we have ever had.
Yes President Obama. They talk so loud and slander your name but, when you pull their cards it's truthful and verifiable. LMAO. The do-nothing and obstruct everything plan has gotten very old and it's a shame that some "leaders" behave that way.
Dear Mr. President,
It is not the congress you should care about. The people should sue you. Shame on your arrogance.
Better yet, bring this fool up on criminal charges!
What an embarrassment and wimp this jerk is. Obumbles shut your face and go to work, for a change and do something besides spew bull.
John Boehner made a decision last week that he could bully the President by threatening a lawsuit which he has no intention of following through with. If the House of Representatives had done ANYTHING to help govern the country over the last 4 years, Boehner's bravado might have made some sense. But his Congress has been the lowest rated, least productive and most obstructive in the HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC. No Congress has EVER been as recalcitrant and unwilling to put in a day's work as this Congress. NEVER. So John Boehner has a lot of balls to play this joker on the President.