House passes rule to move forward with CR

The House passed the rule Thursday to proceed to debate on the amended continuing resolution that provides $5.7 billion in border security and wall funding and $8.7 billion in disaster relief in a 221-179 vote .

Its passage comes in the wake of House GOP leaders huddling with President Trump at the White House Thursday afternoon. Despite the Senate approving a seven-week funding bill on Wednesday to stave off a partial government shutdown, Trump said he would not sign legislation that did not meet his border security request.

House conservatives have been vocal in their push to take up legislation that includes the $5 billion, arguing it could be their last chance to secure funding for the border wall as Democrats take back control of the floor come January.

A vote on the measure is expected later Thursday evening.

If the measure passes, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate where it will need 60 votes to pass.

“So the Senate is going to have a challenge to face – do they want to secure the border or are they going to stick with the crowd that’s for open borders and won’t stand with the president,” House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) told reporters.