More than five months into Fiscal 2015, the House last week finally approved Homeland Security funding for the rest of the year, giving up on efforts to include provisions to block President Obama’s immigration policies.
The 257-167 vote came after Speaker John Boehner indicated to House Republicans that it was time to move forward on the funding. The alternatives, he noted, were a partial shutdown of the Homeland Security Department — sure to be unpopular — or another stopgap funding measure.
More than five months into Fiscal 2015, the House last week finally approved Homeland Security funding for the rest of the year, giving up on efforts to include provisions to block President Obama’s immigration policies.
The 257-167 vote came after Speaker John Boehner indicated to House Republicans that it was time to move forward on the funding. The alternatives, he noted, were a partial shutdown of the Homeland Security Department — sure to be unpopular — or another stopgap funding measure.
The House had previously approved a bill with the immigration provisions but it repeatedly fell short in the Senate. Late last month the Senate approved a “clean” funding bill.
In the House Tuesday, Democrats joined with Boehner and a few dozen other Republicans to approve the clean bill. Obama signed it Wednesday.
The congressional budget process broke down last year, resulting in stopgap funding for the entire government until December, followed by more months of delay on Homeland Security. Such tardy funding decisions make it difficult for federal agencies to plan effectively.
Lawmakers in both parties should commit themselves to doing a better job on appropriations for 2016.
