The House voted 236-191 Wednesday to pass legislation blocking funding for Obama’s executive orders on immigration, but the bill faces a near-impossible battle in the Senate. In order to reach the 60-vote threshold to end debate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will need to persuade at least six Democrats to vote in favor of the bill. But conservatives are worried that McConnell has already given up fighting against Obama’s immigration reform:
The House bill appears very unlikely to pass the Senate, where McConnell will need to attract at least six Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold to end debate. Although conservatives have called on McConnell to bring the bill to the floor immediately, he did not offer a timeline for consideration on Thursday. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires at the end of February.
McConnell did not provide a path forward Thursday in the likely case that the House bill fails. Passing the House bill would “be our first choice,” McConnell said. “If we’re not able to do that, then we’ll let you know what’s next.”
If the House bill cannot pass the Senate, conservatives are worried that McConnell, who has vowed to maintain funding for the Department of Homeland Security, will pass a clean funding bill without any language restricting the administration’s actions on immigration.
The Senate Conservatives Fund is already sounding the alarm, warning in a fundraising email Thursday that McConnell may hold a quick vote “so he can throw up his hands, concede defeat, and move onto something else.”
However, some Senate Republicans think conservatives need to lower their expectations:
Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters on Thursday that the bill could be changed by amendment in the Senate.
Cornyn’s comments also sent the signal that GOP conservatives in the House need to lower their expectations.
Without a deal, the Homeland Security Department could shutdown after Feb. 27, when its existing funding runs out.
That’s something Republicans in both chambers want to avoid, and the messages from Cornyn and McConnell are sinking in, the border-state congressman said.
“The expectation by the rank and file in the House is it’s not going to come back even remotely similar to what we sent over there. And there is a real reticence by members of our conference to allow the funding to lapse,” the lawmaker added.
Overall, it does seem unlikely that the bill will pass the upper chamber. Hopefully, if and when that does happen, Republicans won’t engage in a civil war that could result in another shutdown.
McConnell had better pay attention to the mandate we sent during the last election: No amnesty!
We don’t need any gutless RINOs surrendering to Kenya Boy without a fight! If McConnell doesn’t want a fight then get the hell out!
mcconnell and cornyn will kill the conservative movement in the Senate each and every time. They were both re elected with the aid of democrat resource funding and a little fraud at the voter booth! They retained their offices and power for one reason and that is to continue the further destruction of America. WARNING: if they stay in office, it will be business as usual in DC!
Conservatives had better “Lower our expectations?” Oh no. It’s not going to be that easy. Rather, you RINOs better decide, once and for all, where you stand, and with whom. Are you with the liberal/socialist/Democrats (LSDs), whose first loyalty is to their Party? Or do you stand with We, the People? With God, the United States of America, and its Constitution?
One thing RINOs, and it’s in your interest to think this through: We, the People did not vote FOR the GOP (otherwise known as “The Stupid Party.”), which includes all of you, you bunch of spineless, wishy-washy, eunuchs.
We, the People, God help us, elected you to stand AGAINST President Obozo, his LSD Myrmidons in Congress, and any RINO who stands with them.
We, the People, gave ‘The Stupid Party” a mandate to stop the LSD’s “fundamental transformation of America,” in its entirety, and in particular, the President’s unconstitutional Executive Amnesty. That’s what you ran on. That’s what We, the People voted for. If you don’t have the integrity and intestinal fortitude to follow through on your given word, well…’16 is coming fast. You “Stupid Party” dimwits would do well to take that to heart.
HE STRIKES ME AS A FREAKING WIMP
ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT BALLS
Darn it all anyway. Who’s side is McConnell on anyway? Looks like he’s become a traitor to the Republican Party just like Boehner. I hope the next election, McConnell will no be re-elected. He’s becoming more DemocRAT. McConnell, you coward.
McConnell needs to GO!!! Its bad enough we have boneerhead, and now this one is acting the same way. Whats with these old farts, afraid of their own shadow? Be a Man for heaven sakes. He wanted this position, he made promises for this position, now he should act like it and keep his word. And do something! If he is sitting home today watching football he is a waste of taxpayers money. He should be emailing, phoning, visiting everyone he can to turn them in the right direction. Or is he to old for the job and thinks he can sit on his a$$ and do nothing. McConnell has to go!!!
Very well said.
we do not want another incompetent person who cannot handle the job…WTF
Isn’t that the guy with the old Grandma smile?
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mitch+mcconnell&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=607FA2744F85D62CA6E4D2779EA6E115F279A302&selectedIndex=42
How is that going to help us this coming week?
Hey TexRancher. You can bet your boots he McConnell will fold. He is big fat weinee just benedict boehner. Both of these phonies are in bed with the communist party just won’t admit it. To think people actually voted for these phonies makes me furious!
Many thanks. I think that We, the People have had it with weak-kneed, 2-faced, back-stabbing, bozos like McConnell and “Tears” Boehner. These guys are real tough on the opposition until they get elected. Then, they settle in to cushy positions, and tell us that their latest “compromise” is the “best deal they can get.” We didn’t vote for “compromise.” We demand that our representatives stand up for what they say are their principles.