Grassley: Obama thinks he doesn't need Congress

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a fierce good-government advocate, slammed President Obama on Thursday, saying he is behaving as if he is not accountable to Congress and the American people. 

"The president has decided he doesn't need Congress at all," said Grassley, in a speech delivered from the Senate floor.

" 'When they won't act, I will,' " said Grassley, giving an interpretation of Obama's view. "Under this banner he has announced executive actions on everything from mortgages and student loans, summer jobs for youth and new fuel economy standards."

In his State of the Union addresss to the nation on Tuesday night, Obama repeatedly slammed Congress for its inaction on the economy and other issues, placing much of the blame for economic hard times on its inability to act. 

But in particular, Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, took issue with the series of controversial recess appointments Obama made over break, which according to most Republicans represents a violation of longstanding Senate traditions and the law.

“Some might say this whole ‘We can’t wait [for Congress]' campaign was just harmless rhetoric,” said Grassley. “It would be bad enough if the president were just kidding when he implies he is usurping legislative power … however, after his latest move there can be no doubt the president was dead serious.”