Back in the hot seat.
Senate Democrats blocked a motion Monday by conservative Republicans to "conference," or negotiate, with the House on the "clean" bill to fund Homeland Security through the end of September. That bill passed the Senate last week with strong bipartisan support and the vote today, which failed to meet the three-fifths threshold necessary to adopt the motion, will keep House Republicans from trying to add anti-immigrant riders back into the bill during a conference committee between the two chambers.
What does today's failed vote mean? If you've been paying any attention, you know exactly what this means: ball's back in Speaker John Boehner's court. He can either lead or bow down to the crazy caucus.
One sign of hope did emerge Monday, reports David Espo:
Speaker John Boehner left open the possibility Monday of passage of long-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security without immigration provisions attached, as his alternatives dwindled for avoiding a capitulation to the White House and Democrats.
Maybe last week was simply
too humiliating for a repeat.
3:25 PM PT: UPDATE: Mitch McConnell and his No. 2 put Boehner on notice.
Sens. McConnell & Cornyn, the top two Senate GOP leaders, voted w/Ds to send the clean DHS bill back to the House. Message to Boehner, sent.
— @AJentleson