Democrats Defiant On DHS Funding As Shutdown Looms

WASHINGTON — Democrats indicated on Thursday that they won’t give House Speaker John Boehner much room to maneuver on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, including on a possible short-term bill to avert a department shutdown.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she told Boehner that Democrats want a full-year funding bill, not something that will only keep the department open for a matter of days or weeks.

“We can’t get involved with five days, seven days and all of that nonsense,” she said at a joint press conference with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “Let’s just get the job done on time.”

It would be possible, but politically risky, for Boehner to pass a clean funding bill with support from Democrats against the will of most of his conference. Asked whether he feels his speakership is being challenged, though, Boehner said, “No, heavens’ sakes no. Not at all.”

Obama reiterated on Wednesday that he would veto any bill that blocked his immigration programs.

The Huffington Post