Homeland Security funding deal elusive as new deadline nears
Senate Democrats appear unwilling to help Republican House Speaker John Boehner quell a revolt in his party ranks that could lead to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Boehner is demanding negotiations with Democrats on a funding bill that rolls back President Barack Obama's immigration policies. Senate Democrats say they are unwilling to even consider such a step.
The Senate has scheduled a procedural vote for Monday, three days after Congress cleared a one-week extension for the department. Friday's vote highlighted the divisions within the Republican Party and the limitations of their power even while they have full control of Congress, as 52 House conservatives defied their leadership and helped scuttle legislation that would have given the agency a three-week reprieve.
Conservative Republicans who object to Obama's executive actions on immigration have held up approving another year of funding. Spending for the department is now set to expire this Friday.
