Boehner: Senate Dems To Blame If DHS Shuts down

If the Department of Homeland Security does shutdown, it will be the fault of Washington Democrats, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) argues.

“When it comes to funding the Department of Homeland Security, there is no dispute among Republicans. House Republicans and Senate Republicans all agree, and frankly Senate Democrats should stop blocking debate on the House-passed bill,” Boehner told reporters during his weekly press conference on Thursday.

House Democrats have filibustered a House-passed DHS appropriations bill that also blocks President Obama’s executive amnesty.

Boehner argued that Senate Democrats can change the bill once it comes to the floor, but the key is they first must end their filibuster to allow it to come to the floor.

“That’s the thing, Senate Democrats don’t like our plan, but thanks to Sen. [Mitch] McConnell (R-KY), they can now offer amendments in the Senate – something they weren’t able to do in the last Congress. But for Senate Democrats to simply block debate on a bill that funds many of their own priorities is as senseless and undemocratic as it is.  If funding for Homeland Security lapses, Washington Democrats are going to bear the responsibility,” the Ohio Republican said.

He went on to encourage Obama to “pick up the phone and call his own party to tell them to move ahead.”

When asked about the possibility of a shutdown, Boehner reiterated that the House has already passed a bill and that it remains up to the Senate to complete the funding task.

The House has done its job, we’ve passed a bill that funds the department and stops the president’s unilateral actions with regard to immigration. It’s up to Senate Democrats now to do their job.

Boehner added that a DHS shutdown would not be a good thing, but continued to reiterate that the matter is up to the Senate Democrats.

“It would be bad, that’s why the House passed a bill to fund the department,” Boehner said..

Of the possibility of Congress taking up a short term continuing resolution to prevent a possible a funding gap, Boehner laughed.

“It’s real clear, its time for Senate Democrats to get into the game, get on the bill, and if they don’t like what we’ve done done then they can amend it. It’s as simple as that,” he said.