McConnell ready to move ‘clean’ bill to avert Homeland Security shutdown

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said the Senate may vote “very quickly” on a clean Department of Homeland Security funding bill.

Days before a shutdown of the critical agency, McConnell said he would “be happy” to pass a clean DHS funding bill before the Senate considers a narrow measure overturning President Obama’s most recent executive actions on immigration.

{mosads}His plan, if accepted by Senate Democrats and House Republicans, would prevent Homeland Security from shutting down on Saturday.

McConnell noted the Senate is scheduled to vote Friday on legislation he introduced this week to reverse President Obama’s 2014 executive order shielding up to 5 million illegal immigrants from deportation.

The majority leader said Tuesday that he could agree to first allow a vote on a bill funding the Homeland Security agency. 

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), however, said Tuesday that he would not greenlight McConnell’s plan until he hears from Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that it can pass the House.

McConnell had previously agreed to drop language that also sought to overturn Obama’s 2012 executive actions on immigration. That language was included in a bill that approved the House.

Some congressional insiders predicted both chambers would have to pass a short-term stopgap but McConnell’s plan, if successful, would avoid that scenario.