Posted on 09/06/2012 10:52:37 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Obama administration’s efforts at extending executive authority were dealt a setback on Tuesday. The bipartisan Government Accountability Office flagged the administration’s end run around Congress in its July memo announcing changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) act, aka “welfare reform.”
The GAO said that the White House needs to give Congress the chance to block its plan that permits states to tweak the work requirements that needy families must satisfy in order to receive government assistance under the program.
The official word came in the form of a letter to lawmakers from GAO’s general counsel, Lynn H. Gibson, who wrote that the directive “must be submitted to Congress and the comptroller general before taking effect.”
In response to criticism of the directive, which was issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the White House has argued that the change was made to accommodate governors, including Republicans, who had requested greater latitude in how they administered their welfare programs. The administration also insisted that the constitutionally derived power of the executive branch permitted it to move forward without seeking congressional approval.
The limits on the scope of executive authority have been a constant game of tug-of-war between the administration and legislative branch. In June, GOP candidate Ron Paul accused the president of violating the War Powers Resolution in his decision to intervene militarily in Libya. Obama’s defiant response was captured in a CNN video that also featured Paul’s reaction.
Sen. Orrin Hatch praised the GAO findings Tuesday, saying:
This analysis is unequivocal that any changes must be submitted to Congress. Circumventing Congress, as this White House has done, is a flagrant abuse of our system of checks and balances and an insult to American taxpayers.
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency was reviewing the GAO opinion, adding that the secretary still believes that the changes do not require congressional approval.
Mr. Barack Hussein 0bama?
YOU'RE FIRED!!!!
More proof that Democrats LIE!
Romney needs to put this in an ad IMMEDIATELY!
Talk about being vindicated!
[ A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said the agency was reviewing the GAO opinion, adding that the secretary still believes that the changes do not require congressional approval.]
IOW, just try and stop us.
well who will put a stop to it..seems like eveyone just rolls over for Obama
When he loses, there will be a new Secretary.
Also, when he loses, the new President will nullify the EO(s).
When the Senate changes to a majority R, with a Republican VP holding the power in case of a tie,Congress will finally get a say on all these illegal acts.
So, the answer to your question is “We the People of the United States” will put a stop to it.
If zer0 wins a second term, we are all dead meat and so is America.
well if he is re elected does he just keep overstepping all he wants to????
Looks like it, no?
We get a few Senators and Plugs gets the deciding vote. He *can’t wait* for the Republicans in the House to get something done. He legislates by Executive Order through the agencies.
So we have to do whatever it takes to elect the other guys and as many Senators and Congresspeople on our side as possible.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.