WASHINGTON — The Senate failed a third time on Thursday to move forward with a House-passed bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security while also gutting the president’s immigration programs.
Democrats hoped it would read as proof that the bill — which President Barack Obama has repeatedly said he would veto — isn’t getting through the upper chamber. But so far, House Republicans are showing no signs of backing down and supporting a funding bill free of immigration measures.
Instead, they reiterated Thursday that the ball is still in the Senate’s court.
“The House did its work,” House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told reporters at a press conference. “We won this fight. Now it’s time for Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats to come together and hold the president accountable.”
–
“There is a bipartisan desire to fund the Department of Homeland Security, and I’m sure we’ll resolve this some time in the next few weeks,” McConnell said on the Senate floor, before the chamber voted on moving forward with the bill.
Asked at his press conference if he knew what McConnell’s endgame was, Boehner responded, “No.”
“Listen, he’s got a tough job. He’s got a tough job over there, and I’ve got a tough job over here,” Boehner said at the press conference. “God bless him and good luck. What can you say?”
Sabrina Siddiqui contributed reporting.
