Tuesday on Morning Joe, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) accused President Obama and the Democrats of holding Homeland Security hostage for their favored amnesty program:
JOHNSON: Let's look at what we agree on. We agree on funding the essential and authorized and legal parts. There's disagreement. There's an area of dispute here. And let's face it, the courts have certainly lent credence to the argument that what President Obama has done in immigration -- and, by the way, it's President Obama that’s put immigration reform and law into this debate on funding Homeland Security.
BARNICLE: All right.
JOHNSON: Basically President Obama, Democrats are holding our Homeland Security hostage for their form of immigration reform.
BARNICLE: OK, Senator.
JOHNSON: We have disagreements on that. Let's concentrate on the areas of agreement. Let’s fund the essential, authorized, and legal part of Homeland Security. Isn’t that the easy way of doing it?
Authorization for funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire this Friday. At that point, almost all DHS workers, like airport security screeners and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, would still have to go to work, but they would not be paid.
The House has already passed a bill that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security and prevents Obama from implementing his new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program which illegally gives work permits, Social Security numbers, and drivers licenses to millions of illegal immigrants.
The Senate could take up the House bill, vote on amendments to the bill, and come to a compromise on the matter, but Senate Democrats are filibustering the bill, thus preventing any amendments from even being offered.
Last Monday, a federal court issued an injunction blocking Obama's amnesty program from being implemented, but Obama and the Democrats are still insisting on a DHS funding bill that would allow the program to continue if a higher court reverses the trial judges ruling.
You can watch the entire segment here.