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US homeland security nears shutdown after House rejects bill | US homeland security nears shutdown after House rejects bill |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US lawmakers have rejected a short-term funding bill for homeland security, increasing the threat of a partial agency shutdown at midnight on Friday. | US lawmakers have rejected a short-term funding bill for homeland security, increasing the threat of a partial agency shutdown at midnight on Friday. |
The House of Representatives voted 224-203 against the measure, with dozens of Republicans defying party leaders. | The House of Representatives voted 224-203 against the measure, with dozens of Republicans defying party leaders. |
They rejected the bill after provisions to block parts of President Barack Obama's immigration plan were dropped. | They rejected the bill after provisions to block parts of President Barack Obama's immigration plan were dropped. |
A partial closure could still be avoided if the House passes a Senate-backed deal before 05:00 GMT. | |
That deal would ensure full funding for the Department of Homeland Security for one week, giving both sides more time to agree on a long-term deal. It was passed on a voice vote in the Senate on Friday evening, but still needs approval from the House. | |
The Department of Homeland Security, which employs about 250,000 people, is responsible for securing US borders, airports and coastal waters. | |
About 200,000 "essential" department employees will continue to work without pay if the agency does not have funding. | |
Effects of a Homeland Security shutdown | Effects of a Homeland Security shutdown |
Several Democrats, who want a longer-term spending bill passed without changes to the immigration policy, joined Republican rebels in voting against the measure in the House earlier on Friday. | |
Some Republicans wanted to use the funding, of the department 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. |
Correspondents say it is unclear if House Speaker John Boehner will back the Senate bill as it lacks provisions against Mr Obama's immigration policies and would anger many Republicans. | |
However, 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. | 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. | "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." | "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." |