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House passes clean DHS funding bill

By Danielle Haynes
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn. makes remarks to the press prior to the House of Representatives passing a clean Department of Homeland Security spending bill Tuesday. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn. makes remarks to the press prior to the House of Representatives passing a clean Department of Homeland Security spending bill Tuesday. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, March 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration won't be touched in the Department of Homeland Security funding bill that has now been passed by both chambers of Congress.

The House of Representatives passed the $40 billion spending bill without any riders to dismantle Obama's immigration programs by a vote of 257-167 on Tuesday. The Senate approved the same bill last week to fully fund the department through the end of the year.

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The passage of the bill prevented a partial shutdown of the department that would have gone into effect midnight Friday.

Until Tuesday, there had been an impasse in Congress over the possible inclusion of wording to bar funding for Obama's immigration orders.

Legislators who oppose the immigration action did not hide their disapproval of the clean bill that will now go to Obama to sign into law.

"I believe this is a sad day for America," Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., said. "If we're not going to fight now, when are we going to fight?"

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House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he didn't want to risk the partial shutdown of the department after it became clear Senate Democrats would block any bill blocking immigration orders. He and 74 other Republicans cast votes in support of the bill, along with 182 Democrats.

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