Watch CBS News

Md. Congressman Andy Harris Makes Case To Sue President Obama

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- A Maryland congressman makes a case for suing the president. Republican Andy Harris talked to WJZ about his vote in favor of taking President Obama to court.

Pat Warren explains he believes the president is breaking the law.

The vote to sue the president was divided along party lines, and Maryland Republican Andy Harris was no exception.

"No president of either party should ever abuse their power. That's why this lawsuit is so necessary," said Harris.

The president's executive order to postpone the Obamacare employer mandate to provide coverage for employees is the basis for the lawsuit. House Republicans claim only Congress has the authority to change the law.

"It's not just on the Affordable Care Act. It's on border security, it's on enforcing our borders, it's on releasing five Taliban prisoners without consulting Congress despite Congress taking a position that they had to be notified before such releases," Harris said.

Democrats say the president did nothing more than postpone a regulation that wasn't ready and that taking action without congressional approval is his only option with Congress gridlocked.

"We need to be doing the business of the American people, not the business of our political parties," said Terri Sewell, (D) Alabama.

But Republicans argue that the president's actions are the people's business.

"The question is what do you do when a president chooses not to follow the plain reading of the law?" said Harris.

Assuming the lawsuit is filed, legal experts are now debating whether the courts will even take it up.

Maryland Democrats voted against the lawsuit.

Other Local News:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.