Dem Senators Repeat Block on DHS Funding Bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tried on Feb. 4 and again on Feb. 5 to pass a procedural motion to allow debate on the House-passed Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, but Democrats in the chamber, along with one…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
Republican colleague, blocked both attempts in a Senate maneuver widely referred to as a filibuster. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Utah, joined Democrats in casting opposition ballots on both votes. McConnell needs 60 to move forward with the bill. The "yes" votes totaled 53 on Feb. 4 and 52 the following day. The House legislation, HR-240 (here), contains language to scale back President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, and he has repeatedly vowed to veto the bill. Congress funds CBP through DHS appropriations legislation. A lapse in DHS funding may put out of work thousands of CBP officers, Obama recently said 1502020034). Senate Democrats also blocked McConnell's move to debate the bill on Feb. 3 (see 1502040008).