House takes key step to avoid Homeland Security shutdown

The House moved a step closer to preventing a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security Friday by voting 228-191 to approve a motion to hold a conference with the Senate to negotiate a deal.

The successful vote sets up a vote on a measure funding the department for three weeks. 

{mosads}If that vote is successfull, the Senate is expected to also approve the three-week funding measure. 

Without new funding, Homeland Security would shut down at midnight.

Republicans have been scrambling to win votes for the three-week bill, which would not include language overturning President Obama’s actions on immigration. Some conservatives are opposed to approving a funding bill of any length if it does not reverse Obama’s actions. 

“If the president is faced with a choice of having the Department of Homeland Security shut down or fund the Department for the short term, the president is not going to allow the agency to shut down,” Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

“So the truth is, if the president is faced with a choice between the short term extension and shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, he will sign the short-term extension,” he added minutes later.

This story was updated at 3:12 p.m.