Republican rebels stand fast against Boehner, amnesty

 

House Speaker John Boehner

In the contentious voting over a Homeland Security funding bill Friday night, nearly 50 mostly conservative Republicans openly defied House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio – not once, but twice.

Only a last-minute change of heart by Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., spared the Republican speaker from an embarrassing defeat and a possible shutdown of part of the DHS.

At issue was whether the three-week spending bill backed by GOP leadership would be passed with or without funding President Obama’s executive action lifting the threat of deportation from millions of illegal immigrants. Many in Boehner’s party were not willing to pass a bill paying for what they’re calling Obama’s unconstitutional “amnesty” action.

“It does not make any difference whether the funding is for three weeks, three months or a full fiscal year,” argued Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., who voted against the measure. “If it’s illegal, it’s illegal.”

Fifty-one other Republicans joined Brooks in voting against the measure, leading to a 224-203 defeat for Boehner and the GOP leadership.

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Later in the evening, the proposal was put forward to pass a bill funding the DHS for just one week, and this time, 55 Republicans voted against the measure.

Pelosi, however, rallied Democrats to switch their votes and agree to what she called “a 7-day patch.”

“Your vote tonight,” Pelosi wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats, “will assure that we will vote for full funding next week.”

Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., however, continued the resistance from within the Republican Party, voting against the funding for a second time.

“Passing bills that do nothing but kick the can down the road is something that has become commonplace in Washington,” Salmon said. “I pledge to continue this fight in one week, so we can responsibly fund the Department of Homeland Security without funding the president’s unconstitutional actions.”

The Senate immediately passed the one-week funding measure in a voice vote, and President Obama signed the bill just before midnight.

Democrats have been tight-lipped on what brought about the sudden change of heart, and Boehner spokesman Michael Steel firmly denied rumors that a deal was cut between Boehner and Pelosi to get the measure passed.

“We did not make any such ‘deal’ or promise,” Steel said.

Republicans who voted against the three-week measure are listed in alphabetical order below:

1. Justin Amash, R-Mich.
2. Brian Babin, R-Texas
3. Lou Barletta, R-Pa.
4. Joe Barton, R-Texas
5. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
6. Dave Brat, R-Va.
7. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla.
8. Mo Brooks, R-Ala.
9. Curt Clawson, R-Fla.
10. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla.
11. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn.
12. Sean Duffy, R-Wis.
13. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas
14. Stephen Fincher, R-Tenn.
15. John Fleming, R-La.
16. Randy Forbes, R.Va.
17. Trent Franks, R-Ariz.
18. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas
19. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz.
20. Morgan Griffith, R-Va.
21. Jody Hice, R-Ga.
22. Richard Hudson, R-N.C.
23. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kansas
24. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.
25. Robert Hurt, R-Va.
26. Sam Johnson, R-Texas
27. Walter Jones, R-N.C.
28. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio
29. Steve King, R-Iowa
30. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho
31. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo.
32. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga.
33. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.
34. Mark Meadows, R-N.C.
35. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C.
36. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas
37. Pete Olson, R-Texas
38. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.
39. Scott Perry, R-Pa.
40. Ted Poe, R-Texas
41. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas
42. Tom Rice, R-S.C.
43. Phil Roe, R-Tenn.
44. Thomas Rooney, R-Fla.
45. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz.
46. Mark Sanford, R-S.C.
47. Lamar Smith, R-Texas
48. Mark Walker, R-N.C.
49. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio
50. Roger Williams, R-Texas
51. Rob Wittman, R-Va.
52. Kevin Yoder, R-Kansas

In the second vote, nine additional Republicans resisted the one-week extension, while six who voted against the three-week funding bill agreed to the one-week “patch.” The roll call on the second vote can be found by clicking here.

Obama has vowed to veto any legislation that undercuts his immigration action.

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Republican rebels stand fast against Boehner, amnesty
Drew Zahn
Sat, 28 Feb 2015 21:29:59 GMT