Unable to get restrictions on the President's immigration actions past Democrats in the Senate, Republicans on Tuesday threw up their hands and allowed a bill to be approved by the House which only funds homeland defense operations, angering many rank-and-file Republicans.
"It was unfortunate, because we still had options on the table," said Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK).
"It's not what I wanted to see," said Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA).
"I believe there were creative things that we could have done," said Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ).
But GOP leaders decided it was time to move on, as they laid the blame squarely on Democrats.
And when the roll was called, Democrats unanimously voted for the funding plan, while almost 70 percent of Republicans opposed it.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
As for Democrats, they took plenty of jabs at the GOP, saying this latest foray into deadline and shutdown politics was a waste.
"We have a certain group of people here on the far right who want to shut down the government," said Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has said he would vote to block the President's immigration actions - but as of now, Democrats are blocking consideration of a bill in the Senate to do that.
Republicans fight each other over immigration
Even as the House gave final approval to the funding plan for the Department of Homeland Defense, there were fresh signs of internal fighting within the Republican Party, as an interest group with ties to Speaker Boehner launched an ad campaign against critics of the GOP leadership.
The radio, TV and internet ads came from the "American Action Network" - a group that reports indicated is aligned with Speaker John Boehner.
All of the lawmakers targeted by this group's ads voted against the homeland defense funding bill, which had no restrictions on the President's immigration actions.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Just more evidence of the growing infighting in Congress among Republicans.
About the Author
