Leader Pelosi Throws Down For DREAMers

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by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: Multiple outlets reporting this is now the longest floor speech in the history of the U.S. House:

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

A widely-reported deal on a short term funding resolution to stave off a government shutdown as early as tomorrow night is in jeopardy this hour as House Democrats led by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi revolt over the lack of a solution for undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children–an issue on which Democrats lost out three weeks ago as they relented on forcing a shutdown, but appear to be once again rallying around today:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi started speaking on the House floor around 10 a.m. today. She’s still going, almost six hours later.

So what’s this all about? Pelosi started her speech announcing that she opposes the bipartisan Senate spending deal because it doesn’t include a permanent solution for undocumented immigrants affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program…

House Democrats will likely spend the next 24 hours pushing to get a commitment from House Speaker Paul Ryan on floor consideration of DACA bills.

The deal will require Democratic support to pass the House, so the House Democratic leader’s comments make the plan’s future unclear.

It’s unknown as of now how this will end up, but Pelosi is doing everything the leader of the minority can do in this situation. Because some amount of Democratic support will be needed to pass the continuing resolution Democrats have the leverage to make a stand at this moment. Politically, a show of force on behalf of DACA kids will serve Democrats far better than the ignominious end of the last shutdown fight.

This is a nice way of saying that fellow Democrats would be well served to shake off their timidity and join her on the floor.

Rep. Mike Coffman too, but anybody holding their breath for that is hopelessly naïve.

14 thoughts on “Leader Pelosi Throws Down For DREAMers”

Davie says:

February 7, 2018 at 2:24 pm

Update: According to the New York Times, the Senate (McConnell and Shumer) have come up with a 2 year spending plan that renders the House's continuing resolution moot. Even Speaker Ryan has announced support for the Senate measure.

It's an ugly compromise, and still doesn't include DACA protections. But it does raise the debt ceiling to avoid an impending default (accelerated by the GOP's reckless $1.5 trillion giveaway to their donors which is responsible in part for the current stock market machinations).

The agreement includes an additional four-year extension of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, on top of the six-year extension that Congress approved last month, according to Mr. Schumer.

“I hope we can build on this bipartisan momentum and make 2018 a year of significant achievement for Congress, for our constituents and for the country that we all love,” Mr. McConnell said.

Mr. Schumer was similarly effusive.

“After month of legislative logjams, this budget deal is a genuine breakthrough,” he said. “After months of fiscal brinkmanship, this budget deal is the first real sprout of bipartisanship.”

Mr. Ryan urged his members to vote for it: “America will be safer and stronger because of this agreement.”

Mr. Ryan’s embrace boosted its chances in the House, where conservatives were cool to it, if not hostile.

If Trump vetoes it because it doesn’t include his “Wall” billions, then the shutdown will be on him, and will free up a few more Republicans to finally turn away from his insane policies. The rest of the GOP sycophants can then burn with Trump in the public’s eyes.

My bet is Trump signs it. And if he doesn’t then Congress just might very well override, thus reasserting its long forgotten mandate to, you know, govern.

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1. bullshit! says:
  
  February 7, 2018 at 2:42 pm
  
  This is still going to require Dem support. It's not over. Go Leader Pelosi!
  
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  1. Davie says:
    
    February 7, 2018 at 2:56 pm
    
    But as there is no mention of border wall funding in this 2 year deal, it makes sense in a way to leave out DACA too.
    
    Thus it becomes a test for Trump — humbling, and a slap in the face (or worse) whether he vetoes or signs. If Congressional Republicans stand up to Trump on governing, then DACA support, which is already bipartisan, could come in a separate bill before March 5th.
    
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Moderatus says:

February 7, 2018 at 2:44 pm

Mike Coffman has already explained that he will not vote to shut down the government. If Democrats want to shut down the government to protect illegal immigrants, go for it!! Americans won't stand for it.

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1. unnamed says:
  
  February 7, 2018 at 2:59 pm
  
  Your party is in control. You will own the shut down. Pelosi standing up for dreamers as a matter of principle. Something Republicans don't understand.
  
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  1. Davie says:
    
    February 7, 2018 at 3:06 pm
    
    Yep, it's Trump and the GOP FreeDumb club that is going for the shutdown.
    
    “While President Trump threatens shutdowns and stalemates, congressional leaders have done the hard work of finding compromise and consensus,” Mr. Schumer said. He added, “At the end of the day, I believe we have reached a budget deal that neither side loves, but both sides can be proud of.”
    
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2. Diogenesdemar says:
  
  February 7, 2018 at 3:06 pm
  
  Yambo said, just yesterday, he’d “love to see a shutdown,” you dildo . . .
  
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Phoenix Rising says:

February 7, 2018 at 4:43 pm

I didn't even know someone could do this in the House! Is it a Minority Leader privilege?

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1. notaskinnycook says:
  
  February 7, 2018 at 5:10 pm
  
  Technically, she can't (there is no filibuster rule in the House), but who was gonna stop her?
  
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2. mamajama55 says:
  
  February 7, 2018 at 9:30 pm
  
  It's a "leadership minute" – whatever that is.
  
  I guess it's tactical – a way to keep pressure on extending DACA, while also not being painted into a corner on government shutdown.
  
  Because not even House Democrats can possibly be naive enough to think that Mitch McConnell will keep a promise to them to allow a DACA vote.
  
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  1. Phoenix Rising says:
    
    February 8, 2018 at 10:00 am
    
    Good to know.
    
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Gray in Mountains says:

February 7, 2018 at 7:49 pm

Thank you Minority Leader Pelosi

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mamajama55 says:

February 7, 2018 at 8:19 pm

I don't agree with Pelosi on everything, but I'm damn proud of her tonight.

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mamajama55 says:

February 8, 2018 at 6:57 am

UPDATE: Dreamers occupied Senator Bennet's office last night to ask him to

a) keep pressure on for clean Dream act by the agreed-upon deadline of March 5, when DACA expires

b)not include border wall funding in any immigration reform agreement. Bennet replied that he would seek DACA extension, but include border funding.

The budget, with or without DACA extension and border wall funding, will be voted on today.

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