On July 30, 2014, the US House of Representatives voted to sue President Barack Obama for overstepping presidential powers.
The move angered the conservatives who deemed it insufficient and emboldened the Democrats who viewed it as Republican vengeance. This further strained the fragile bipartisanship on Capitol Hill.
During a heated debate, Republicans accused Obama of violating the law and his constitutional oath, with then Speaker, John A. Boehner, claiming he had left the Constitution "in tatters." Democrats countered him by highlighting bills blocked by Boehner, including those to raise the minimum wage, extend unemployment insurance, and overhaul immigration. They Democrats accused Republicans of wasting time and resources.
The issue was then subjected to vote. In a 225-to-201 party-line vote, Republicans authorized the lawsuit against Obama for selectively applying the Affordable Care Act to delay its less popular provisions.
Later, on November 20 that year, House Republicans formally sued Obama's administration over the health-care law. They claimed the President unlawfully delayed a key requirement-that most employers provide insurance-without Congressional approval and improperly made payments to insurance companies. This move has become historically significant showing how strong the US system is and how far the lawmakers would fight to defend their laws no matter who was involved- in this case, the President was neither feared or spared.
Other key events on this day
1. President Eisenhower signed "In God We Trust" into law as US motto - 1956
2. The US largest ship, USS Indianapolis sank, over 800 people died - 1945
3. The last 'old style' Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line in Mexico - 2003
4. Summer Olympics opened in Los Angeles - 1932
5. Otto von Bismarck, the first German Chancellor died - 1898
6. Under subpoena, Richard Nixon surrendered Watergate tapes - 1974
7. Israel's Knesset declared Jerusalem Israeli capital - 1980
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