House Republicans are confident that this time they can beat the government shutdown jinx and win the fight with Democrats over a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and challenge President Obama’s deportation amnesty, rank-and-file members said Wednesday.
Republicans have been skittish about using the power of the purse to confront Mr. Obama’s policies since they tried to defund Obamacare and ended up taking the blame for the 16-day government shutdown in October 2013.
What has changed in the Homeland Security standoff, they said, is added leverage from their party controlling both chambers of Congress, the shutdown being confined to a single agency and most Americans siding with Republicans against Mr. Obama’s immigration actions.
Rep. John C. Fleming, Louisiana Republican, said the onus is on Democrats this time.
“Are they willing to put our homeland security on the line for executive amnesty, which is unconstitutional and unlawful,” he said. “Are they willing to pay Social Security checks and benefits to those who are here illegally while not funding the security of our country.
An ABC/Washington Post poll last month showed that 56 percent of Americans want Congress to block the deportation amnesty, compared to 41 percent who want the policy to proceed. But polls showed similar levels of opposition to Obamacare in 2013 and that didn’t stop Republicans from getting blamed for the shutdown.
SEE ALSO: Keystone pipeline clears Congress, sets up Obama veto
Democrats in both chambers, however, remained convinced that they can force Republicans to pass a “clean bill” without immigration policy measures by focusing the debate on the threat to national security posed by a Homeland Security shutdown.
Republicans were prepared hang tough for that fight at least until they get close to the Feb. 27 deadline when Homeland Security funding runs out, but then anything could happen, said GOP aides.
With just 17 days until funding expires for the agency, House Speaker John A. Boehner echoed his members’ bravado and blasted Senate Democrats for blocking the bill.
“The House has done its job. Why don’t you go ask the Senate Democrats when are they going to get off their ass and do something other than to vote no,” Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican, told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the GOP conference.
“Listen, the issue here is not Senate Republicans. The issue here is Senate Democrats, seven of whom criticized the president’s executive overreach on immigration, and yet they continue to block consideration of the bill,” he said.
A House-passed bill to fund the agency stalled in a filibuster by Senate Democrats who oppose measure attached to the legislation that would prevent Mr. Obama from granting legal resident status and work permits to as many as 5 million illegal immigrants and end a program to suspend deportations for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
SEE ALSO: Obama defends request for military force authorization
The bill has been stuck in the Senate for a week, with Senate Democrats voting three times to sustain the filibuster.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, through a spokesman admonished Mr. Boehner for using foul language and tried to shift the blame for the deadlock to Republican infighting.
“We know Speaker Boehner is frustrated but cursing is not going to resolve the squabbling among Republicans that led to this impasse,” said spokesman Adam Jentleson.
“Democrats have been clear from day one about the way out of this mess: take up the clean Homeland Security funding bill which Republicans signed off on in December — and which is ready to come to the Senate floor — pass it, and move on,” he said. “If Republicans want to debate immigration policy next, Democrats are happy to have that debate.”
Senate Republicans have a 54-member majority and need support from at least six Democrats to clear the 60-votes hurdle to advance most legislation.
Mr. Obama has threatened to veto the bill if it reaches his desk — a move that would provide Republicans with the politically potent argument that the president had chosen to defend illegal immigrants instead of protecting Americans.
House Democrats pivoted the floor debate to national security Wednesday with a parliamentary tactic that would force a vote on a clean spending bill of the agency. The tactic failed to bring up the bill but it provided a stage for Democrats to deliver their message.
“With such severe consequences, it’s time to put politics aside in order to strengthen our homeland and protect American families,” said Rep. Alcee Hastings, Florida Democrat.
Mr. Hastings delivered his speech on the House floor in front of a large white sign with bold red letters that read: “Republican Homeland Security Shutdown 17 Days.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.