Once Congress had voted to keep Iranian hostage-taker Hamid Aboutalebi from visiting the US as Iran’s ambassador to the UN, the Obama White House had a choice: Bow to the Iranians anyway, or accede to the wishes of Republicans and Democrats who went on the record to oppose Aboutalebi.
Congress went on the record under the leadership of one Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The state’s junior senator crafted a bill that sailed through Congress with impressive bipartisan support. That bill landed on Obama’s desk.
The president did not sign that bill, at least not yet. The White House is simply refusing to grant Aboutalebi’s visa.
Why act in concert with Congress and in harmony with the Constitution, when it can get away with yet another unilateral action?
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