The “Hastert Rule” which has kept the GOP house caucus together on issues, large and small, since the mid 1990’s is done. Under the rule, Boehner would not have been allowed to seek out Democratic votes to pass a clean DHS funding bill. He has done just that. It is the end of an ignoble era, and probably the end of Boehner’s speakership.
WASHINGTON — It was all but inevitable, and Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) finally cut his losses on Tuesday, telling House Republicans he will allow a vote on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security without any immigration restrictions.
The “clean” DHS funding bill could come up as early as Tuesday. It is expected to pass with overwhelming support from Democrats and enough House Republicans.
Boehner laid out three paths to his members in a weekly meeting, according to a source in the room: shutting down DHS, another short-term stopgap bill, or the Senate-passed clean DHS bill. He said the first two weren’t good options.