AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
The House passed a bill today that declares President Obama's executive actions on immigration null and void. It's a largely symbolic vote though. The current Democratically controlled Senate won't take it up, and the White House has promised a veto. But as NPR's Juana Summers reports, the move by the House does set the stage for the real showdown over funding to keep the government running.
JUANA SUMMERS, BYLINE: This bill is a part of Republican leadership's strategy to appease conservative members who are enraged by the president's moves on immigration. They would temporarily shield some 4 million people in the country illegally from deportation. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Ted Yoho, Republican of Florida. He says it's meant to send Obama a message.
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CONGRESSMAN TED YOHO: It doesn't talk about granting amnesty. It just stops an unconstitutional action by our president. To vote no against this bill is to vote no against the Constitution.
SUMMERS: Democrats don't see it that way. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called the bill cold-hearted.
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REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI: In response to this presidential action of common sense and compassion, Republicans are advancing today on this floor a radical bill of appalling callousness and cruelty.
SUMMERS: Republican leaders hope the bill will be enough to prevent a government shutdown. Some conservatives have said they want to add language to a government funding bill that would block Obama's action on immigration. House leaders are considering a proposal to fully fund all government agencies through September 2015, except the Department of Homeland Security which handles immigration. DHS would be funded only until February. That's about a month into the new Congress when Republicans will control both the House and Senate and have more leverage to block the president. Boehner calls his plan the most practical option.
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SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER: Frankly, we listen to our members, and we listen to some members who are frankly griping the most. This was their idea of how to proceed.
SUMMERS: There's little time left to find an agreement. The government will shut down unless a funding bill is passed by December 11.
Juana Summers, NPR News, the Capitol. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
