House Republicans resist call to change course on DHS funding

The Hill ^ | 02/11/2015 | Rebecca Shabad and Cristina Marcos

[GIdget2004]

A pair of GOP senators implored House Republicans Thursday to soften their stance in the intra-party dispute over funding the Department of Homeland Security.

Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who both formerly served in the lower chamber, stressed to the House GOP conference behind closed doors that the Senate can’t get the 60 votes it needs to advance the House-passed DHS funding bill that includes language to reverse President Obama's executive actions on immigration.

"They lamented the frustration they're having getting up to 60 votes. But apparently that is the strategy now with the Democrat minority is to block everything over there," Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) said after the meeting.

Despite the senators’ appeal to their former colleagues, House Republicans said their conference is sticking with the original strategy.

They told Gardner and Capito to tell Senate GOP leaders to keep trying to move the House-passed bill, Fleming said, despite three failed votes last week.

"Our message back to them ... we asked them to take this back, our bill is our bill. This is what we passed. This is what we expect you to pass. So get it done," Fleming said.

Aides said GOP leaders' message to rank-and-file members was clear: We're staying the course.

[snip]

On Tuesday, however, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said it's "obviously" up to the House now to send a different spending bill back to the Senate because Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked the bill in the upper chamber.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

So if the House changes nothing, the Senate can either:

1. Pass the bill (as is without funding)

2. Not pass the bill (still no funding)

So what's the problem.

It seems that Boehner may have those Senate turds by the balls.

[tumblindice]

Good for the House.

But for a `boots on the ground’ perspective, here’s a letter to me by my House rep, Luke Messer.

January 15, 2015

Dear Mr. *******:

Thank you for contacting me about House Speaker John Boehner. I appreciate hearing from you.

I’d like to share with you the views of one of the leaders of the conservative movement who led the opposition against Speaker Boehner in 2013, but voted for him in 2015. Offering an explanation of why he changed his vote, my colleague Representative Mick Mulvaney from South Carolina said,

This coup today was bound to fail. And in fact, it failed worse than I expected, falling 11 votes shorts of deposing the Speaker. At least two years ago we only failed by six.... The hard truth is that we had an election for Speaker in November – just among Republicans. That was the time to fight. But not a single person ran against [Speaker] Boehner. Not one. If they had, we could’ve had a secret ballot to find out what the true level of opposition to John Boehner was.
(Representative Mulvaney’s full comments are attached for your review)

Despite last minute notice in the hours leading up to a vote, the truth is no potential candidate spent the time to make their case as a meaningful alternative. The choice touted by most conservatives outside of Congress was Representative Trey Gowdy, but he chose not to run. In fact, Representative Gowdy gave the nomination speech for Speaker Boehner in the Republican Conference meeting in November.

In addition to Mr. Gowdy, some of the “most tried and tested conservative voices in Washington” joined me in re-electing Speaker Boehner, including Representatives Jim Jordan, Raul Labrador, Mark Sanford, Trent Franks, Tom McClintock, Matt Salmon, Tom Price, Sam Johnson, and Jeb Hensarling. I remain committed to advancing a conservative agenda that controls government spending, preserves Constitutional liberties, jump-starts our economy, and holds President Obama accountable for his actions.

People are rightfully frustrated with Congress, but this New Year brings a new opportunity to produce results for the American people. My hope is we can unite as a party, get to work, and deliver results. Please don’t hesitate to contact me in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Luke Messer
Member of Congress

[My name redacted to avoid receiving any more `love letters’ from lurking Hoosier lefties/moderate GOP-ers.]

I don’t believe Rep. Mulvaney’s full comments were attached, but I suppose they were something along the lines of: `We make all the right noises—we `talk the talk,’ but we don’t have enough real conservatives with the stomach to fight the Democrats AND Republicans.’

So I suppose the “results” Representative Messer states at the end of his letter involve more of the same from the last six years. How sad is that? We won, we own Congress, but we just can’t get the votes .... and a perpetually lachrymose speaker John Boehner will continue scolding conservatives to “Get your ***es in line!”? While the GOP-e continues to work closely with the Democrats—`Obama wants his checkbook? Obama can have his checkbook!’?
And we are urged to send the GOP more money—and also vote GOP again next year, so they can finally effect real hope and change?
But right now, hmmmm, (clearing throat), harrumph, harrumph—Right now we ... just ... don’t ... have ... the votes.

[Iron Munro]

Patience.

Sooner or later the democrats will have a bill they want passed or a nominee they want approved.

In fact, if republicans in the senate had any guts, instead of just approving the Loretta Lynch nomination for Attorney General (which we all know they will approve) they would drag their feet on the nomination and let it be known they won’t approve her until the democrats pass the republican budget as-is.

[chris37]

If there’s a will, there’s is a way.

Conversely, if there’s no will, there’s no way.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Can’t get to 60 votes? Here’s my advice to Mitch: What would Harry Reid do? Nuclear option.

[chris37]

"Sooner or later the democrats will have a bill they want passed or a nominee they want approved."

And that bill will be passed, and that nominee will be approved.

Simple as that.

[tet68]

On Tuesday, however, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said it’s “obviously” up to the House now to send a different spending bill back to the Senate because Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked the bill in the upper chamber.

Funny how this works, when democrats are in the
majority they block republicans,
when democrats are in the minority they block republicans. I see a problem here.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I also could care less if the DHS funding bill ever gets passed. No TSA, The border patrol is not apprehending illegals anyway on orders from above and who will miss seeing those moron DHS cars on their local highways? Good riddance. Plus it would free up a lot of ammo real quick.

[Timber Rattler]

Didn’t take long for Capito to show her true colors, did it?

[dadfly]

bookmark

[Timber Rattler]

"They lamented the frustration they're having getting up to 60 votes. But apparently that is the strategy now with the Democrat minority is to block everything over there," Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) said after the meeting.

So why was 51 good enough for Harry Reid, but not Mitch McConnell?

Looks like this is going to be the GOP-E's standard excuse for not doing ANYTHING to stop Obama in the coming months and years.

[Starboard]

Aides said GOP leaders' message to rank-and-file members was clear: We're staying the course.

Translation: they're caving again. The White Flag Party.

[Timber Rattler]

Yeah, remember all the GOP-E pleas this time last year for the Republican base to just be patient until after the election, at which point we would have a majority in the Senate and then good things would happen.

Liars.

[Starboard]

And we are urged to send the GOP more money

*************
DEFUND the GOP. They don’t deserve our support. Not one single dime.

[Starboard]

Yes, they are liars and the base keeps falling for the same old tricks year after year after year. They are rewarded for lying so they keep doing it.

[Timber Rattler]

Here you go for reference:

House Republican slams anti-Boehner movement hard. Like, really hard. (Mick Mulvaney (R-SC-5)

You pretty much received a canned response written by Boehner's staff for distribution among the Republican caucus and their constituents. I got the same thing from my critter, with almost identical wording and hiding behind Mulvaney.

Two issues here--1) If all that was needed was a single GOP member to run against Boehner in November to trigger a secret vote and a stampede, then why did not ANY of these losers do so?

And 2), were any of the newly elected Republicans at that November meeting, and did they have an opportunity to vote?

And if I recall, at the time, the GOP-E meme was to not worry about it, that the real vote would take place when the House convened in January.

Bottom line...they're all cowards and liars, even Gowdy.

[tumblindice]

"In matters of fashion, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." T. Jefferson "I didn't leave the Democratic party. It left me." R. Reagan

[mosesdapoet]

Why not print this questionaire up encircle your answers and send it to your US Senator

Dear Senator
INS...Amnesty.. Forget about Ebola
We don’t allow cattle to enter without a background health and ancestry check which we also reqiure of legal immigrants who wait years and still go thru health and record checks. We also require that any legal immingrant demonstrate prior to entry that they offer a contribution to our society and not dependency upon it .

Yet we’re letting children and gang bangers in without doing any of this which has resulted in dispersing virulent new diseases (measles) and drug use which has resulted in unreported cases in schools where these illegal kids were placed.. Plus shoved a severe financial strain on local governments where they are placed .

Should any candidate for Attorney General supporting that practice be denied confirmation ?(Yes) (No) .Should those given this bypassed favored treatment who miss their INS hearing be deported fortwith ? (Y) (N).. ? Denied re-entry (Y)(N) ?

In “countries where an American citizen decides to be a “legal” emigree never mind being a seasonal visitor still are denied voting privledges. Own land in their own name. Face steep fines before getting kicked out let alone denied income and energy subsistance including food stamps, or bring in family members .

I (do) (don’t) believe we should allow such full citizenship privledges mentioned above which are denied by the country of national origin of the above, to a legal American immigrant , deny such full citizen privledges to any (emigree) (seasonal vistor) (illegal) if their country does not allow those same privledges to any citizen of the United States, .
While such a position will be condemed as defacto deportation particularly by the political establishment .

Would you continue to support a Senator who refuses to support such restrictions ? (Y) (N) Does that also include erecting border barriers such as fencing designed to discourage surrepticious or uncontolled entry ? (Yes) (No)

Should any American citizen which goes overseas to join a foreign entity fighting against the United States (such as ISIS) Be denied re-entry (Y)(N) and their citizenship revoked? (Y) (N) Should that person be charged with treason (Y)(N)

Very Truly Yours For Restoring the value of American citizenship and Conservative Government

Include your return address label below along with your signature and date

[mosesdapoet]

Why not print this questionaire up encircle your answers and send it to your US Senator

Dear Senator
INS...Amnesty.. Forget about Ebola
We don’t allow cattle to enter without a background health and ancestry check which we also reqiure of legal immigrants who wait years and still go thru health and record checks. We also require that any legal immingrant demonstrate prior to entry that they offer a contribution to our society and not dependency upon it .

Yet we’re letting children and gang bangers in without doing any of this which has resulted in dispersing virulent new diseases (measles) and drug use which has resulted in unreported cases in schools where these illegal kids were placed.. Plus shoved a severe financial strain on local governments where they are placed .

Should any candidate for Attorney General supporting that practice be denied confirmation ?(Yes) (No) .Should those given this bypassed favored treatment who miss their INS hearing be deported fortwith ? (Y) (N).. ? Denied re-entry (Y)(N) ?

In “countries where an American citizen decides to be a “legal” emigree never mind being a seasonal visitor still are denied voting privledges. Own land in their own name. Face steep fines before getting kicked out let alone denied income and energy subsistance including food stamps, or bring in family members .

I (do) (don’t) believe we should allow such full citizenship privledges mentioned above which are denied by the country of national origin of the above, to a legal American immigrant , deny such full citizen privledges to any (emigree) (seasonal vistor) (illegal) if their country does not allow those same privledges to any citizen of the United States, .
While such a position will be condemed as defacto deportation particularly by the political establishment .

Would you continue to support a Senator who refuses to support such restrictions ? (Y) (N) Does that also include erecting border barriers such as fencing designed to discourage surrepticious or uncontolled entry ? (Yes) (No)

Should any American citizen which goes overseas to join a foreign entity fighting against the United States (such as ISIS) Be denied re-entry (Y)(N) and their citizenship revoked? (Y) (N) Should that person be charged with treason (Y)(N)

Very Truly Yours For Restoring the value of American citizenship and Conservative Government

Include your return address label below along with your signature and date

[tumblindice]

After considering the response for quite a while, my conclusion was—this is the GOP-e issuing a preemptive surrender or acknowledging its inability to do anything that they promised, or assured us they would try to do back in the fall of 2014.

The establishment GOP-e’s talk is just smoke and mirrors.

See above: Ronald Reagan was a revolutionary. He actually stood athwart history and yelled `Stop’; on the other hand, our current “leaders” are frauds. They will receive nothing from me in the future but my contempt.