Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) joined Wednesday's House debate against President Obama's executive actions granting legal status to millions of illegal aliens.

In his 2:40 floor speech Gowdy implored his fellow Congressmen to use the power of the purse to stop the president's unilateral actions: 

“President Obama announced one of the largest extra-constitutional power-grabs ever by a chief executive. He declared unilaterally that almost five million undocumented aliens will receive deferred action under some new-fangled definition of prosecutorial discretion, Madam Speaker. Not only that, not only escaping consequences, he has decided to bestow benefits such as work authorization and immigration benefits.”

“This, Madam Speaker, despite the fact that the very same president, over twenty different times, said he lacked the power to do what he just did. And he repeatedly said he is not a king. Now, Madam Speaker, his position may have changed, after the election I hasten to add, but the Constitution has not. That document is clear, time-tested, and true. And it says that this body passes laws and it is the responsibility of the chief executive, Madam Speaker, to make sure that those laws are faithfully enforced.”

"If this president’s unilateral extra-constitutional acts are not stopped, Madam Speaker, future presidents will no doubt expand that power of the executive branch and threaten the constitutional equilibrium. But Madam Speaker,
This is not a fight between Republicans and Democrats. This is not even a fight over immigration reform. This is a fight over whether this branch of government will ever find the courage to stand up for itself. The same document that this and all presidents swear to defend gives this body certain tools. Tools like the power of the purse and it's about damn time we use that tool."

Gowdy's remarks received thunderous applause from his Republican colleagues.