Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio confirmed Wednesday that he will initiate a lawsuit on behalf of the House against President Barack Obama over the administration’s use of executive actions.

Boehner, saying he believes the president is ignoring laws passed by Congress, cast the move toward a lawsuit, first reported by Roll Call, as a continuation of the age-old struggle over the balance of powers among the three branches of government.

“This is about defending the institution in which we serve,” Boehner told reporters. “What we’ve seen clearly over the last five years is an effort to erode the power of the legislative branch. I believe the president is not faithfully executing the laws of our country, and behalf of the institution and our constitution, standing up and fighting for this is in the best long-term interest of the Congress.”