Republicans at odds over immigration
Senate and House Republicans are fighting over who should move first to break the stalemate over funding the Department of Homeland Security.
Senate Majority Leader MitchMcConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday the House will have to pass a new bill because the Senate cant pass the Houses initial legislation, which would overturn President Obamas executive actions on immigration shielding millions from deportation.
Speaker John Boehners (R-Ohio) office pushed back, arguing there is little point in additional House action.
McConnells and Boehners offices both put the blame on Senate Democrats, who have repeatedly blocked the House bill from progressing by filibustering procedural motions.
Sixty votes would be needed to move the House bill forward, and Republicans have won no more than 53.
Its clear we cant get on the bill. We cant offer amendments to the bill. And I think it would be pretty safe to say were stuck because of Democratic obstruction on the Senate side, McConnell said.
Michael Steel, Boehners spokesman, said the pressure is on Senate Democrats who claim to oppose Obamas immigration action but are filibustering a bill to stop it.
Senate Democrats and the White House are showing no signs that they are feeling any pressure.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to end after Feb. 27, and Democrats say Republicans are jeopardizing the nations security with a fight over a policy issue. They are demanding the GOP agree to a clean funding bill stripped of measures attacking Obamas immigration actions.
The Republican majority is twiddling its thumbs as it gets closer and closer to shutting down DHS, said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). We Democrats have pushed for a clean DHS funding bill followed by a robust debate on immigration reform. But the Republicans have insisted on sticking to their hostage-taking tactics.
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Republicans at odds over immigration