Here’s the reality: in the US Senate, there were enough Democratic votes, Virginia’s senators included, to not end the Democratic filibuster on the House bill that defunded the president’s actions. That meant a clean DHS bill without the immigration provisions was a non-starter. What also failed was an effort at reconciliation and conference. In other words, Democrats in the senate blocked even getting together to talk over the differences of opinion (as our Founders intended).
Instead, we get stuck with this nonsensical brinkmanship from Democrats again that force Republicans to vote for funding the department, which includes President Barack Obama’s irresponsible use of executive authority on immigration (that we now pray the courts will find unconstitutional).
Reps. Morgan Griffith and Barbara Comstock see this differently, and a reasonable person can see their positions and recognize that they are both still conservatives.
First, Griffith says:
“I cannot support this measure, which I feel would reward the Senate for maintaining the modern filibuster/cloture rule that I believe violates the intent of our Founding Fathers and the democratic principles upon which our republic was based.”
There is no doubt he’s right. But there’s also no doubt that we’ll never find the Democratic votes in the senate to end the filibuster, let alone overturn a sure presidential veto.
That means we must still protect this country and fund the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Border Patrol and US Coast Guard.
“I voted today to fund the Department of Homeland Security because we must continue to protect our borders, air travel, and ports with the dedicated employees that work tirelessly each and every day to keep America safe in this dangerous world,” said Comstock of her vote. “I fundamentally disagree with President Obama’s constitutional overreach on immigration.”
There are too many games in Washington. And there are too many lives at stake to play games.
And one man with a telephone and a pen means the games are exceedingly dangerous.
This post initially appeared in J.R.’s nightly email, “The Last Word“
