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Duelling bills as partial US government shutdown looms US homeland security nears shutdown after House rejects bill
(about 4 hours later)
The Senate has passed full funding for homeland security shortly after the House planned its own short-term version as a shutdown deadline looms. US lawmakers have rejected a short-term funding bill for homeland security, increasing the threat of a partial agency shutdown at midnight on Friday.
House Republicans are seeking to continue a fight to stop to President Barack Obama's immigration policies. The House of Representatives voted 224-203 against the measure, with dozens of Republicans defying party leaders.
The House version extends the agency's $40bn (£26bn) budget for three weeks. They rejected the bill after provisions to block parts of President Barack Obama's immigration plan were dropped.
If neither bill is passed in both chambers and signed by Mr Obama, a partial government shutdown starts after midnight on Saturday. The agency, which employs about 250,000 people, faces partial closure unless a deal is agreed in the coming hours.
About 200,000 department employees, including border and airport security agents, will continue to work without pay if the agency does not have funding.About 200,000 department employees, including border and airport security agents, will continue to work without pay if the agency does not have funding.
"The House must pass this bill in short order to keep the lights on at the Department of Homeland Security in the near term," said Republican Representative Harold Rogers. Several Democrats, who want a longer-term spending bill passed without changes to the immigration policy, joined Republican rebels in voting against the measure.
"Hopefully, this will buy us this additional time that we clearly need."
Effects of a Homeland Security shutdownEffects of a Homeland Security shutdown
Some Republicans sought to use the homeland security department funding, which includes immigration officials, as a bargaining chip to force President Barack Obama to end a set of policies on immigration. Some Republicans wanted to use the homeland security department funding, which includes immigration officials, as a bargaining chip to force President Obama to end policies on immigration.
Mr Obama used his executive powers to protect about five million undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republicans say Mr Obama overstepped his powers in doing so.Mr Obama used his executive powers to protect about five million undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republicans say Mr Obama overstepped his powers in doing so.
A separate ruling by a federal judge has blocked those policies from starting while a lawsuit by more than two dozen states goes forward.A separate ruling by a federal judge has blocked those policies from starting while a lawsuit by more than two dozen states goes forward.
Meanwhile, the Senate has passed a bill to fully fund the homeland security department through the budget year. Meanwhile, the Senate has passed a bill by 68-31 to fully fund the homeland security department through the budget year.
Despite having no provisions against Mr Obama's immigration polices, the measure passed 68-31. Correspondents say it is unclear if House Speaker John Boehner could take up the Senate bill as it lacks provisions against Mr Obama's immigration policies and would anger many Republicans.
Some Republicans senators have expressed a desire to fight the execution actions in the courts, rather than threaten the department's funding. However, some Republicans senators have expressed a desire to fight the execution actions in the courts, rather than threaten the department's funding.
The BBC's Naomi Grimley in Washington says many on Capitol Hill fear a public backlash if the funding is thrown into doubt at a time of fears about "lone wolf" terrorists.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson urged Congress on Thursday to pass full funding.Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson urged Congress on Thursday to pass full funding.
"A short-term continuing resolution exacerbates the uncertainty for my workforce and puts us back in the same position, on the brink of a shutdown just days from now," Mr Johnson said."A short-term continuing resolution exacerbates the uncertainty for my workforce and puts us back in the same position, on the brink of a shutdown just days from now," Mr Johnson said.
The White House has said Mr Obama would prefer a full funding bill but would sign a short-term measure to prevent a shutdown.The White House has said Mr Obama would prefer a full funding bill but would sign a short-term measure to prevent a shutdown.
But House Democrats are opposing the measure and Mr Obama has said he will veto any bill that affects immigration.But House Democrats are opposing the measure and Mr Obama has said he will veto any bill that affects immigration.
Other House Republicans said they would also not support a short-term bill.Other House Republicans said they would also not support a short-term bill.
"I am not going to vote under any circumstances to fund illegal conduct," said Representative Mo Brooks. "It does not make any difference whether the funding is for three weeks, three months or a full fiscal year. If it's illegal, it's illegal." "I am not going to vote under any circumstances to fund illegal conduct," said Representative Mo Brooks.
"It does not make any difference whether the funding is for three weeks, three months or a full fiscal year. If it's illegal, it's illegal."