Mitch McConnell Announces a Vote on a Clean DHS Funding Bill Is Coming

The impasse over a Department of Homeland Security Bill could come to an end soon.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, stood against conservatives in his ranks Tuesday and announced he plans to bring forward a clean, longer-term funding bill to the floor this week in an effort to stop a potential DHS shutdown.

"I've indicated to the Democratic leader that I'd be happy to have his cooperation to advance the consideration of a clean DHS bill which would carry us through till September 30th," McConnell said to press Tuesday.

McConnell told reporters Tuesday he "would be happy to" allow an up-or-down vote on DHS funding to happen first, as many Democrats have called for, as long as the minority cooperates in allowing a standalone immigration bill backed by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to move forward. That sequence would fund DHS before the Feb. 27 deadline and could earn enough Democratic votes to pass the separate measure defunding the president's executive action. Already Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has said he will support the immigration bill.

Minority Leader Harry Reid says he's waiting to hear from House Speaker John Boehner before striking the deal.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said McConnell announced the decision at a conference luncheon Tuesday, but that the announcement had drawn ire from more conservative members who believe McConnell was giving in to Democratic demands without holding the president accountable. Multiple Republicans in the meeting said there was still broad disagreement as to whether caving to Democrats demands for a clean funding bill was the best course forward.

The next challenge will be getting the House on board.

"I think it is clear that the House has not agreed on a strategy yet," Flake told reporters.

Sarah Mimms and Rachel Roubein contributed to this article.

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