As of last week, the lack of funding for DHS marked the longest funding lapse ever in Washington after the political fight entered its ninth week.
Speaking to “Washington Watch” from the House floor, Rep. Roger Aderholt (R-AL) placed the biggest blame on Democrats – whose radical base wants them to punish ICE – but described a struggle in the Senate over the next step.
“We have agreed on the House side,” Aderholt advised. “We've sent it over to the Senate and the Senate's holding it up.”
Looking at the next step, which he called a possible “solution” but not a good one, Aderholt agreed with the White House push for a reconciliation bill that bypasses the Senate’s cherished filibuster rule.
“I have mixed emotions over that,” the Congressman acknowledged. “I think that’s probably what we’ll end up doing, and it may be the only option we have.”
The truth is, he continued, the Senate needs to “pass something” even if that procedural move bypasses the appropriations process.
“So it's not a perfect solution, but at least it will open up the department,” he told the program.
