Republicans relent on immigration to pass funding bill

House Republicans made an awkward landing today after botching a political maneuver to thwart President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration. After an unsuccessful attempt at defunding the president’s deportation relief program in the Homeland Security budget, the House approved a “clean” bill with no immigration strings attached.

Just 75 out of 242 Republicans voted for the bill, which had unanimous Democratic support. The bill funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Sept. 30. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told a meeting of the GOP caucus this morning it was time to relent from using the DHS budget as a tool in the immigration fight.

“I am as outraged and frustrated as you at the lawless and unconstitutional actions of this president,” Boehner told his caucus, according to aides. “I believe this decision—considering where we are—is the right one for this team, and the right one for this country.” DHS narrowly avoided a partial shutdown Friday night, when funding was set to expire. Boehner had proposed a bill that would extend DHS funding for three weeks, giving the House more time to debate the immigration issue. But the move backfired when both House Democrats and tea party Republicans voted down the bill for different reasons. Democrats wanted to pass a budget bill without restricting immigration, and tea partiers saw the three-week extension and too great a compromise.

The program proposed by Obama would allow some illegal immigrants to avoid deportation while they seek legal status in the United States. Opponents say the president does not have authority to enact it. Last month, a federal judge in Texas agreed and issued an injunction placing it on hold while the courts consider multiple legal challenges against it. At this morning’s caucus meeting, Boehner reportedly said the issue is now in the hands of the courts.

The Senate tried to pass a similar bill that would have undercut the immigration changes, but Democrats in that chamber repeatedly blocked it. Though Republicans control both houses of Congress, the Senate GOP lacks a large enough majority to overcome Democratic filibusters. Senate Republicans conceded last week and passed a clean DHS budget bill in that chamber.

The mixed responses of House Republicans to today’s developments underscore the ideological divide in the party between moderates and conservatives.

“This is the signal of capitulation,” said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. “The mood of this thing is such that to bring it back from the abyss is very difficult.”

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., disagreed: “Sanity is prevailing. I do give John Boehner credit.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.