Paul bill would stop Obama from tweaking healthcare law

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduced a bill Thursday that would allow a congressional member to stop the president from directing his administration not to enforce federal laws.

Republicans have accused President Obama of circumventing Congress in changing the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare.

{mosads}“The Obama administration is trying to rewrite ObamaCare by executive fiat and that act is a violation of the separation of powers in the United States Constitution,” Paul said in a press release. “This and other attempts by the Obama administration to rewrite the law can be stopped if this bill becomes law.”

The Constitutional Check and Balance Act authorizes members of Congress to take the administration to federal court if the president, or any other executive branch official, directs federal agencies to not enforce a provision of law.

Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) has a companion measure in the House.

“As most Americans learned in eighth grade civics, the Constitution requires that the Executive Branch enforces laws passed by the Legislative Branch,” Poe said in the release. “Unfortunately, this administration treats the law as a mere suggestion, picking and choosing which ones to enforce.”