White House: Shutdown Threats Won’t Deter Obama Acting On Immigration

White House press secretary Josh Earnest speaks to reporters during the daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. Earnest opened his briefing by taking a question on the shooting in... White House press secretary Josh Earnest speaks to reporters during the daily news briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. Earnest opened his briefing by taking a question on the shooting in Afghanistan which killed a two-star American general and wounded appoximately 15 people including German brigadier general. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) MORE LESS
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President Barack Obama won’t be deterred in his planned executive actions on immigration by Republican rumblings about a potential government shutdown fight if he follows through, the White House said Wednesday.

“The president is determined to act where House Republicans won’t,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. “It would be a real shame if Republicans were to engage in an effort to shut down the government over a common sense solution like that. But they’ve done it before.”

“We would hope that Republicans wouldn’t do the same thing again,” he said.

Recently Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) floated the prospect of going after Obama’s yet-to-be-announced executive moves in a muss-pass government funding bill to keep federal programs operational past Sept. 30. In addition, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) suggested a similar idea on Wednesday if Obama acts alone to “legalize millions.”

It’s too early to know if Republican leaders will embrace the strategy.

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for bdtex bdtex says:

    Very good move. GOPs have already boxed themselves in. They have to double down on their response to Pres. Obama now or their base will ream them.

  2. Avatar for pine pine says:

    Good Mr President F, em.

  3. Avatar for grawk grawk says:

    Well well well. Just in time for November. Please proceed, GOP

  4. Hmmm, shutdown or impeachment? Or both?

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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