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Dozens of House Republicans demand language blocking Obama's immigration move

Dozens of House Republicans demand language blocking Obama's immigration move

More than 50 House Republicans on Thursday called on House appropriators to add language to a government spending bill that would block President Barack Obama from implementing his controversial immigration plans later this year.

Funding for the federal government runs out in mid-December, and Congress will have to pass some kind of funding bill to keep it running.

Screen Shot 2014-11-13 at 8.13.54 AM President Barack Obama is planning an executive action on immigration, but Republicans say he isn't listening to the voters, and are trying to pass legislation to stop him.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Khin Maung Win

Because Obama has threatened to act unilaterally on immigration by the end of the year, Republicans see the spending bill as a chance to block that action.

Fox News reported Wednesday that Obama's move could come as early as next week. Whenever he acts, Obama is expected to expand the availability of green cards for millions of illegal immigrants, and allow them to work in the United States.

"President Obama has spoken publicly and privately about his intentions to use executive action to create these work permits for those who are here illegally," the letter said. "This would be in direct violation of U.S. law."

"As you know, the Congress has the power of the purse and should use it as a tool to prevent the President from implementing policies that are contrary to our laws and the desire of the American people," it added.

The letter asked leaders of the House Appropriations Committee to include language in the spending bill that would "prohibit the use of funds by the administration" for any executive action on immigration.

By Thursday morning, the letter had 59 signatures.

Republicans are increasingly calling for legislation to stop Obama, but one major hurdle will be the Democratic Senate. If Democrats create a stalemate, another option being considered is to pass a short-term spending bill in the coming weeks, and then move again to block Obama's immigration plans early next year, when the Republican-led Senate should make it easier.

Read the House GOP letter on immigration here:

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