Boehner: Blame Democrats If Homeland Security Shuts Down

A day ago, John Boehner used colorful language to tell Senate Democrats to approve a House-passed bill to fund the Homeland Security Department.

"The House has done its job," the House speaker told reporters Wednesday. "I want you to ask the Senate Democrats when they're gonna get off their ass and do something other than to vote 'no.' "

On Thursday, Boehner shifted his remarks toward what would happen if Congress doesn't act on legislation to keep the department, whose funding expires on Feb. 27, open.

"For Senate Democrats to simply block debate on the bill that funds many of their own priorities is as senseless and undemocratic as it is," Boehner said. "If funding for Homeland Security lapses, Washington Democrats are gonna bear the responsibility."

So what about a short-term continuing resolution, which would keep the department funded at current levels? "I'm gonna start laughing," Boehner said in response to a question about whether he would consider that. "The House has passed its bill. … it's real clear. It's time for Senate Democrats to get into the game, get on the bill, and if they don't like what they've done, they can amend it. Simple as that."

Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said Thursday afternoon that the speaker was laughing at reporters' repeated questions about a short-term CR, and not specifically about the idea of one.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has attempted to push through a House-passed spending bill three times in recent weeks, but Senate Democrats have blocked it because of a provision that would defund President Obama's recent immigration action. McConnell said on Tuesday that it's now up to the House to act; Boehner wholeheartedly disagrees, saying again on Thursday that "the House has done its job."

To avoid a partial shutdown of the department, members could pass a short-term CR without any GOP riders aimed at Obama's execution actions. But Boehner has instructed members to ignore Democrats' demands for a "clean" bill, and Democrats aren't budging. Should the funding deadline pass without any legislation to extend it in sight, Republicans say they're ready to place the blame on their Democratic colleagues.

"I don't know how we get blamed for that this time," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah told National Journal on Tuesday. "Who else could get blamed? We're not the ones filibustering." Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., spoke more forcefully about Democrats. "If they're cynically trying to restart the government-shutdown battle, they should be blamed directly. … It's a very dangerous game. If we have a successful terrorist attack—all the dead Americans from that should be laid at the feet of the Democratic caucus," he said.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Tuesday that Republicans "have painted themselves into a corner" on DHS funding. He declined to say whether the White House would consider a continuing resolution.

Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this article.