McConnell Eyes Immigration Bill to Avert DHS Shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., vowed to introduce separate legislation to stop implementation of President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration, after Democrats in the chamber again on Feb. 23 blocked debate on the House-passed Department of Homeland Security funding bill (here). That measure, HR-240 (here), contained policy riders that would have prevented the immigration action. The department’s funding expires at midnight on Feb. 27.
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McConnell said he still prefers to debate the House bill, but Democratic intransigence is keeping that out of reach. “I’m going to begin proceedings on targeted legislation that would only address the most recent overreach from November. It isn’t tied to DHS’ funding,” said McConnell. “The new bill I described offers another option we can turn to. It’s another way to get the Senate unstuck from a Democrat filibuster and move the debate forward.” That pledge may signal the Senate is ready to pass another DHS funding bill, but the House still has to act.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced legislation, S-534, on Feb. 23 to prohibit U.S. funds to use in implementation of Obama's immigration action. The text of the bill isn't yet public, and it's not immediately clear if that bill is the one McConnell referred to.
Senate Republicans racked up only 47 votes in favor of the House measure on Feb. 27, while Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., again joined Democrats in opposition. Five Senate Republicans and two Democrats didn’t vote.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told colleagues on the Senate floor that Republicans are angling to pass a continuing resolution to fund the department, according to a transcript released by his office (here). Reid dismissed that plan, saying a CR won’t give DHS sufficient funds to prevent terrorist attacks. “The Majority Leader and Speaker [of the House John] Boehner aren’t listening,” said Reid. “Listen to reason. Let’s fully fund Homeland Security, and let’s do it now.” White House spokesman Josh Earnest declined to comment on whether Obama would sign a CR.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., led the introduction of a new DHS funding bill in late January (see 1501290033). Reid, Shaheen and Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., will lead a press conference to champion a "clean" DHS bill on Feb. 28.