Congressional Democrats successfully filibustered the legislation for the third time this week, the latest in a 52-47 vote.
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The standoff is running down the clock before funding for the Department of Homeland Security is slated to run dry by Feb. 27. If Congress fails to reach a deal that the president approves by that deadline, administration officials warn critical operations under the agency’s umbrella would be in jeopardy, from immigration enforcement to airport security screening.
Obama reiterated Wednesday that he would not sign any bill that would effectively undo his own unilateral measures that, in sum, would benefit as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants.
“I want to be as clear as possible: I will veto any legislation that got to my desk that took away the chance of these young people who grew up here and who are prepared to contribute to this country that would prevent them from doing so,” Obama said Wednesday in the Oval Office. “I am confident that I can uphold that veto.”