WASHINGTON — Speaker John Boehner left open the possibility Monday that the House might pass long-term funding for the Homeland Security Department without immigration provisions attached, as Republican options dwindled for avoiding a capitulation to the White House and Democrats.
Boehner declined to say during the weekend if he would permit a vote on the Senate-passed measure, and his spokesman similarly sidestepped the question Monday. Officials in both parties predict it would pass and end the recurring threat of a partial agency shutdown.
Democrats said they believe the House will vote on the stand-alone spending measure, which conservatives oppose and President Barack Obama is eager to sign. “I would hope and expect that we will” this week, said Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the second-ranking House Democrat.
The White House also urged a vote on the bill, which would provide funding for the department through the Sept. 30 end of the budget year. It has been stripped of provisions to roll back administration directives shielding millions of immigrants from the threat of deportation.
Across the Capitol, Senate Democrats did their part, formally rejecting a Republican bid to convene House-Senate negotiations on the issue.
The result was to send the long-term funding measure back to the House, where rules generally permit any lawmaker to seek a vote on it. It was unclear when that might happen, but with the agency headed for a partial shutdown at midnight Friday, time was growing short.
