Senate

More Dem senators announce they’ll oppose funding bill over immigration fight

by Jordain Carney - 01/17/18 5:48 PM ET

Two Democratic senators said Wednesday they will oppose a House plan to fund the government, creating an increasingly uphill path in that chamber.

Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich (N.M) and Tom Udall (N.M.) said in separate statements they would not support the short-term bill and urged Republicans to come to the table on a bipartisan deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“This is no way to govern. I am not willing to leave these bipartisan priorities behind and vote for a bill that gives President Trump and congressional Republicans more time to hold the country hostage,” Heinrich said.

He argued that Republicans must either “accept the bipartisanship deal that is on the table or turn their backs on the American people.”

Udall said the House bill is “irresponsible” and Congress must “stop kicking the can down the road.”

“President Trump and the Republicans have a choice: They can either come to the table and negotiate in good faith on a responsible funding agreement and protection for DREAMers — or they can cause a government shutdown,” he said, referring to DACA recipients.

Congress has until the end of Friday to pass a funding bill and prevent a government shutdown.

The House GOP is pitching a bill that will fund the government through mid-February and includes a six-year reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

{mosads}But that bill faces a narrow path in the Senate. With GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) expected to vote “no,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) will need at least 10 Democratic votes.

He could need more help if GOP Sens. Mike Lee (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.), who opposed the previous continuing resolution, come out against this week’s bill.

Seventeen Democrats, and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), supported the short-term bill in December.

But they are under growing pressure to oppose the short-term bill without a deal on the so-called Dreamers after the Trump administration kicked the issue to Congress last year by ending the DACA program.

Several have said they will vote “no” on legislation this week.

In addition to Heinrich and Udall, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) came out against the continuing resolution on Wednesday and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) told the Los Angeles Times that he was a “no.”

Each of the four senators voted “yes” in December.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) also said Wednesday that she’s a “no” on the bill.

“Protecting Dreamers is a moral imperative. I will not vote for a spending bill that doesn’t treat Dreamers fairly,” Gillibrand tweeted.