Relations between Republicans and Barack Obama appeared to plumb new depths on Thursday evening as the House speaker, John Boehner, launched a lawsuit against the president for failing to consult Congress before taking executive action to adjust implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Following on from threats that have been mounting for several months, Boehner began a process that may end up in the supreme court and sought the backing of House representatives to sue the president for allegedly breaching their constitutional rights.

The resolution focuses specifically on changes made to Obamacare that, ironically, delayed or removed certain controversial requirements for employers. Republicans claim the changes are indicative of a broader failure to consult Congress on other contentious policy issues such as immigration.

"In 2013, the president changed the healthcare law without a vote of Congress, effectively creating his own law by literally waiving the employer mandate and the penalties for failing to comply with it," Boehner said in a statement.

"If this president can get away with making his own laws, future presidents will have the ability to as well," he added.

"The House has an obligation to stand up for the legislative branch, and the constitution, and that is exactly what we will do."

Obama, who announced a strategy of taking more executive actions during his state of the union address, has publicly dared Boehner to take him to court. He again ridiculed the notion in a speech earlier on Thursday, claiming he was merely filling a vacuum left by an obstructionist Congress.

"You hear some of them – 'sue him', 'impeach him'," said Obama. "Really? Really? For what? You're going to sue me for doing my job? Okay. I mean, think about that. You're going to use taxpayer money to sue me for doing my job while you don't do your job.

"Rather than wage another political stunt that wastes time, wastes taxpayers' money, I've got a better idea: do something," he added. "If you're mad at me for helping people on my own, let's team up. Let's pass some bills. Let's help America together."

Boehner, whose resolution must first clear the House rules committee next week, is likely to have been emboldened by a series of recent rebukes by the supreme court over Obama's executive powers, including the ability to make senior government appointments when the administration determines the Senate is in recess.

In a statement issued after Boehner's announcement, the White House added: "It is disappointing that Speaker Boehner and Congressional Republicans have decided to waste time and taxpayer dollars on a political stunt.

"At a time when Washington should be working to expand economic opportunities for the middle class, Republican leaders in Congress are playing Washington politics rather than working with the president on behalf of hardworking Americans. As the president said today, he is doing his job – lawsuit or not – and it's time Republicans in Congress did theirs."