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 The conservative lawmakers, led by Representative Jeff Duncan,
circulated a letter to Boehner and other House leaders telling them
to hold the line in opposing Obama's executive actions shielding
millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation, a Duncan aide
said on Tuesday.
"Now is the time to stand firm against these unlawful executive
actions," said the letter, signed by about 20 conservative
Republicans so far.
The House last month attached provisions to block spending on
Obama's immigration orders to a $39.7 billion bill to fund the
Department of Homeland Security. The measure has stalled in the
Senate, where Democrats have insisted on a "clean" security funding
bill free of such restrictions.
If the dispute is not resolved by Friday at midnight, spending
authority will be cut off for the agency, which spearheads domestic
counterterrorism efforts and secures U.S. borders, airports and
coastal waters.
 If that happens, the department's essential protective staff would
stay on the job, but there would be no money to pay them until new
funding is approved.
The letter from conservatives told House leaders they should not
view a recent Texas court decision temporarily blocking Obama's
actions as a way out of the funding impasse, noting the court ruling
could be overturned. Obama says his actions have legal precedent.
Boehner is expected to discuss the path forward on Wednesday with
House Republicans, who return to Washington on Tuesday after a
week-long holiday recess. Some Republican senators say a short-term
funding extension for Homeland Security looks increasingly likely.
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Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell moved on Monday to separate
DHS funding from the immigration fight, introducing a stand-alone
bill to try to block Obama's November 2014 immigration order.
Among those signing the letter to Boehner were some of the most
conservative members of Congress, including Representatives Steve
King, Louis Gohmert, Jim Jordan, Matt Salmon and Mick Mulvaney. It
was addressed to Boehner, Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy
and Majority Whip Steve Scalise.
Representative Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat, told
reporters on Tuesday he was "absolutely positive” that if a "clean"
funding bill was put on the House floor, it would pass, likely with
a combination of minority Democrats and Republicans.
(Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by John Whitesides and David
Gregorio)
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