Limited In Political Arena, Republicans Seek To Confront Obama In Court

Frustrated by what they see as overreaching by the executive branch, several Republican lawmakers are using lawsuits to challenge not only presidential recess appointments, but also NSA phone surveillance and aspects of the Affordable Care Act. Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) has gained 42 co-sponsors on a resolution directing the House of Representatives sue President Obama over the health care act, immigration and welfare work requirements. But any lawsuit against the executive branch must provethat taking legal action was a last resort, and that Congress was disenfranchised by executive branch actions.