Boehner tells Senate Democrats to 'get off their ass' and pass bill they oppose

The leaders of Congress are at an impasse

(Image credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

published 12 February 2015

The Department of Homeland Security runs out of funding on Feb. 27, and neither party wants to be held responsible for that. House Republicans passed a bill funding the department for the rest of the fiscal year, but adding language that would overturn President Obama's executive orders shielding certain undocumented immigrants from deportation. Democrats don't agree with that provision, and the legislation is "stuck" in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday. He urged House Republicans to act.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is blaming Senate Democrats for the stalemate. "The House has done its job, why don't you go ask the Senate Democrats when they're going to get off their ass and do something other than to vote no?" he told reporters on Wednesday. "The issue here is not Senate Republicans."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.