IT TAKES 60 VOTES FOR THE MAJORITY IN THE US SENATE AND WITH THE GOP IN CONTROL OF THE FLOOR AGENDA, IT ALL MEANS NAUGHT SINCE THE AGENDA STILL MUST GO THROUGH THE STUMBLING FUMBLING DEMOCRATS WHO WILL BLOCK EVERY LEGISLATION IT DEEMS HELPING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE PROSPER–AS THE IMMIGRATION GIVEAWAY IS FIRST ON THE LIST FOR DEMOCRATS AND LEGISLATION TO OVERHAUL THE DHS WILL REQUIRE MORE METAMUCIL TO STOP THE CHRONIC DEMOCRAT CONSTIPATION BLOCKAGE ON THE SENATE FLOOR

It wasn't supposed to be like this for Republicans. A month into their control of both chambers of Congress, they are confronting the very real possibility of a shutdown of the Homeland Security Department later this month.

Instead of advancing a conservative agenda and showing voters they can govern, the GOP has been unable to overcome Senate Democrats' stalling tactics in a dispute over immigration.

"I suppose elections have consequences except in the United States Senate," complained GOP Rep. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, summing up the frustration for many House Republicans. "Tell me how it would be different if Harry Reid were still running the place," he added, naming the Senate Democratic leader who was booted into the minority in November's midterm elections.

Although their party is now setting the floor schedule and calling hearings, Republicans are finding to their chagrin that important things haven't changed from when they were in the Senate minority.

Republicans are six votes short of the 60 needed to advance most legislation, and Senate rules grant numerous rights to the minority party. That means if Democrats remain united, they have the ability to block GOP bills just as they did while in the majority.

Democrats have been united against House-passed legislation funding the Homeland Security Department through September, the end of the budget year, while also rolling back President Barack Obama's executive policies on immigration.

As a result Congress appears to be at a stalemate on the issue, leaving Republicans with only a few options: pass a short-term extension of current funding levels, fold and strip the immigration language opposed by Democrats from the bill, or let the Homeland Security Department run out of money when current funding expires Feb. 27.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20150213/us--congress-homeland-56e1e90db0.html