The Clock's Ticking: Inside the Dept. of Homeland Security Shutdown Showdown

Congress narrowly averts an agency shutdown.

What's Going On? - On Friday, Feb. 27, congressional lawmakers narrowly averted a Department of Homeland Security shutdown by passing a measure to keep filling the agency's coffers for another week. What happens next is anyone's guess. While Senate Republicans are trying to work with their colleagues across the aisle, House GOP lawmakers are at an impasse with Democrats and, worse, each other. Here's how it all started and the latest developments. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)  (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
How Did We Get Here? - In January, the Republican-led House passed legislation that would fund the agency through the end of the fiscal year but also overturns President Obama's executive orders on immigration. Senate Democrats have blocked McConnell's efforts to get a vote on the bill and are insisting on "clean" legislation that simply funds the agency and doesn't include any immigration ammendments.(Photo: VIPDesignUSA/Getty Images) 
Isn't Obama's Immigration Plan on Hold? - Yes, a judge has blocked Obama's deportation relief program, but the Justice Department is appealing the decision. The irony is that if the administration is successful, the president's immigration policies will be implemented even if DHS is shut down because the agency responsible for administering them is funded by fees and its workers also would continue to receive paychecks. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Bad for the Homeland - "It is, in these challenging times, most unfortunate that there's even a possibility of a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security," says Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. "That is not good for the homeland security of this nation, it is not good for public safety, and it is not in the public's best interest." (Photo: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)What Are the Options? - Let the money run out, which would partially shut down the agency. Or fund it for the rest of the year or for a period of weeks or a few months. (Photo: Bill Greene/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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How Did We Get Here? - In January, the Republican-led House passed legislation that would fund the agency through the end of the fiscal year but also overturns President Obama's executive orders on immigration. Senate Democrats have blocked McConnell's efforts to get a vote on the bill and are insisting on "clean" legislation that simply funds the agency and doesn't include any immigration ammendments.(Photo: VIPDesignUSA/Getty Images) 

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