While the House voted on Wednesday to kill major provisions of the immigration policy of U.S. President Barack Obama that would provide legal protection to millions of immigrants, 26 Republicans crossed party lines and rejected the amendment that would reverse the president's 2012 executive action.

Like Us on Facebook

Only 218 GOP members voted for the amendment, just barely a few needed to pass the measure. All Democrats followed party line and votes "No."

So as not to be misunderstood by immigrants, Republicans who voted for the amendment said their intention was not to be cruel to them and the debate was not about immigration, but the president went beyond his authority in rewriting the immigration law sans Congress consent.

Explaining the GOP initiative, Speaker John Boehner said, quoted by the New York Times, "By their votes last November, the people made clear they want more accountability from this president - enough is enough."

With the amendment, the executive action by Obama in late 2014 that allows illegal immigrants who have been in the U.S. for at least five years to apply for work permits and avoid deportation has been reversed. It also bans use of government money to pay for people to carry out the Obama directive such as processing of applications and issue of permits.

Democratic leader Senator Harry Reid criticized the Republicans for waging an unneeded political battle that would risk closing the Department of Homeland Security just a week in control of the house.

Senior presidential adviser Dan Pfeiffer said the GOP should not call the party pro-family "when they just repeatedly vote to rip families apart."

He added, "This policy isn't just unwise, it's cruel, immoral and it is not who we are as Americans."

The Democrats said they would use delaying tactics in Senate, while the president said he would not sign any law that would undermine his signature immigration policy that he crafted via executive action.

TagsImmigration Reform, Barack Obama, Republicans