House Approves Lawsuit Against President Obama For First Time In History

The House voted Thursday to approve a lawsuit against President Barack Obama for an alleged abuse of power, marking the first time in history that a chamber of Congress has approved a lawsuit against a U.S. president.

The House voted 225-201 Thursday, with all democrats opposed, to approve a lawsuit brought on by House Speaker John Boehner that accuses the president of abusing his executive power throughout his term by changing policies without consulting congress. The lawsuit points specifically to the administration's changes to the Affordable Care Act.

Republicans have hailed the lawsuit as being necessary to maintain proper checks and balances in the U.S .government, but democrats have decried the lawsuit as being a political stunt aimed at energizing the conservative voter base ahead of the next election cycle.

Democrats have also argued that the lawsuit is part of an attempt to have Obama impeached, but Boehner said this week that such a suggestion is a "scam" brought on by those in the Obama administration.

"We have no plans to impeach the president. We have no future plans. Listen, it's all a scam, started by Democrats at the White House," Boehner said.

"This isn't about Republicans and Democrats. It's about defending the Constitution that we swore an oath to uphold," Boehner added. "Are you willing to let any president choose what laws to execute and what laws to change? Are you willing to let anyone tear apart what our Founders have built?"

Obama has defended his executive decisions, saying at a speech in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday: "They're going to sue me for taking executive actions to help people. So they're mad I'm doing my job."

"And by the way, I've told them I'd be happy to do it with you. The only reason I'm doing it on my own is because you're not doing anything," the president added, referencing the inactivity of Congress.