With a Republican funding measure for the Department of Homeland Security stalled in the Senate, House Democrats have introduced a new version that leaves out the language curbing President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.
Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., and Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., introduced called their measure a “clean, bipartisan, full-year, DHS funding bill.”
But it stands little chance of receiving a vote, at least for now.
Republican leadership aides said a bill that excludes the immigration provisions is “a nonstarter” because the GOP believes the president acted beyond his constitutional authority. Obama’s executive actions issued in 2012 and 2014 allow millions of illegal immigrants to obtain work permits and some federal benefits.
The bill has been blocked three times in the Senate by Democrats and one Republican.
“The House has already passed a Homeland funding bill that also addresses the president’s executive overreach on immigration, which is what the American people support,” Michael Steel, a spokesman for Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told the Washington Examiner. “Senate Democrats should drop their filibuster and allow the Senate to debate that bill.”
A temporary funding DHS funding measure will expire on Feb. 27, and Democrats are using the impending deadline and Senate gridlock to portray Republicans as a party willing to risk national security for political gain.
“It is outrageous that Republican leadership is holding hostage funding that is critical to keeping our borders, ports, aviation system, and communities safe,” Lowey, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said.
