Villanova University's John Johannes, PhD, Professor of Political Science, is an expert on the United States Government and Presidential-Congressional relations and is available for media comment surrounding President Obama's immigration address last night, his plan for moving forward, and what Republicans might do in response.

Professor Johannes offers the following initial thoughts:

This was an act of warfare. Obama is not only challenging the Republicans in the House, he’s trying to salvage what’s left of his term of office and assert his authority. But of course the authority is precisely what is in question.

More interesting is what the Republicans will do in response. On the one hand, Obama has the political advantages in daring Congress to react, possibly leading to another government shutdown if Congress includes in the “must pass” upcoming omnibus appropriation bill a provision seeking to overturn his decision. On the other hand, Republicans have him on the record a dozen times saying that he doesn’t have the authority to do what he did last night. This will be high drama, with all sorts of characters on stage: government shutdown, appropriation bill rider, attack ads back and forth, legal suits, and threats of impeachment. The fireworks are beginning.

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Immigration U.S. Politics
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Immigration President Obama Barack Obama Illegal Immigrants White House Immigration Reform immigration reform, executive action
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