WASHINGTON — The Senate on Friday passed a bill to finance the Department of Homeland Security, sending the legislation to the House with just hours to avert a partial shutdown of the agency at midnight.
The spending bill, which removed restrictions on President Obama’s executive action on immigration that were included in a bill passed by the House, easily passed the Senate, 68 to 31. Democrats also blocked a separate bill to undo the president’s action.
–
A shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, administration officials warned, would have negative ramifications for the nation’s security. About 15 percent of the department’s 230,000 employees — about 30,000 people — would be furloughed, and those who are deemed essential would be expected to work without receiving their regular paycheck.
Go to Home Page »
