Democrats are considering taking Majority Leader Mitch McConnell up on his offer to advance a "clean" funding bill for Homeland Security. But they worry that if they help Republicans put the bill on the floor for debate, that could turn into a free-for-all for right-wingers like Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Sarah Mimms
has the deets:
Democrats are meeting again Wednesday for a full conference luncheon to discuss their options. If they join Republican leadership and agree to move forward with a clean bill, conservatives could hold up the legislation far past the deadline, shutting down DHS, or worse, add in even more egregious amendments. Once Democrats agree to get on the bill, they'd be powerless to stop them.
Minority Leader Harry Reid
had originally made their support contingent on House Speaker John Boehner's nod of approval for a clean bill. Wednesday morning, however, Boehner said, "I'm waiting for the Senate to act."
Agreeing to pass a clean Senate bill may be the best route for Democrats if they hope to hang the Homeland Security shutdown around the neck of Republicans. No matter what Senate Republicans choose to do once the bill comes to floor for debate, Democrats can say they negotiated in good faith. And if a "clean" funding bill passes, Boehner will be stuck with the conundrum of whether to put the bill on the floor for a House vote. More on that from Roll Call:
That is, do they want to put legislation on the floor that would certainly pass and save the agency from a shutdown, but would surely be carried by Democrats and likely fall well short of the so-called “Hastert Rule,” where the majority of the majority party secures a bill’s success?
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., said he thinks Boehner could not survive such a move politically.
“He better be listening to everybody at the table. You know, there were 25 that didn’t vote for leadership in January,” Gosar, one of those dissenters, told CQ Roll Call.
If it's left up to Boehner to show leadership, don't get your hopes up. He's done nothing but capitulate to the House crazy caucus since 2010. Republican control of Congress in the 114th hasn't made a lick of difference.
But bottom line, this is McConnell v. Boehner.
10:43 AM PT: UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democrats agree to GOP plan for Homeland Security funding without immigration measures .
— @ZekeJMiller
