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TIME Politics Congress How Democrats May Help the GOP Avert a Shutdown Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) holds a news conference with the newly-elected members of the House GOP leadership at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Nov. 13, 2014. Chip SomodevillaGetty Images Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi opposes the plan, but isn't whipping votes against it

Democrats may come to the rescue of House Speaker John Boehner in order to avert a government shutdown next week.

Conservatives are clamoring for the House Republican leadership to use the power of the purse to protest President Barack Obamas executive order, which could delay deportations for up to five million immigrants who came to the country illegally. Several prominent conservatives, including Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, have rebuked the House Republican leaderships government funding proposal, but leadership believes enough Democrats will join to pass it, according to a congressional aide.

Im waiting to be convinced that its a bad idea because on the face of it I think its probably the best that we can do right now, says Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski of Illinois.

I think everyone is reluctantly looking at this as probably the most practical solution, concurs Democratic Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, who is considering voting for Boehners proposal. I do not want to have a government shutdown If thats where we end up I dont think the president should veto it.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi opposes the measure, but House Democrats said she hasnt been whipping against it behind the scenes. Still, several Democrats told TIME they wouldnt vote for the proposal.

I hate to give in to their whining, said Kentucky Democratic Rep. John John Yarmuth of Kentucky, adding that hell probably vote no. It doesnt make any sense to me that we would fund an important agency like that on a piecemeal basis and just having to waste time going through another exercise three months from now.

The House GOP leadership plan would fund all aspects of the federal government through September 2015, with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which would be funded through the next few months. DHS is tasked with carrying out Obamas executive order. Jennifer Hing, House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers spokeswoman, said that the language for the bill will be made public early next week, which would give little time for conservatives to come up with an alternative.

Conservatives would prefer to have a shorter-term funding solution and some are calling for defunding the programs designated to enact Obamas executive action.

That might be something we do closer to the deadline, says Brian Phillips, the spokesman for conservative Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, of the House GOP leadership plan. Youve got to do what you need to do to elevate this issue and put the Democrats on record as to whether or not they do or do not support the Presidents amnesty.

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How Democrats May Help the GOP Avert a Shutdown