House recesses after more work on DHS amendments

The House went into recess at about 3:20 p.m. Thursday, in large part to allow House Democrats to meet with President Obama at the White House.

Members adjourned after considering a handful of additional amendments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill, and is expected to hold votes on these later in the day.

In the early afternoon, members debated an amendment from Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) that would prevent DHS from spending any funds to implement a policy that requires contractors to disclose their political contributions. This amendment is a response to a planned Executive Order that would require such disclosures.

Democrats were opposed to the amendment, and a recorded vote was requested.

Another amendment from Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) would prohibit the use of funds for more DHS office space in Washington DC. "This bureaucracy has grown beyond the bounds of being reasonable," Gohmert said. A recorded vote was requested for this amendment as well.

House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) proposed his own amendment that would ensure some money is set aside to allow for private airport screeners, instead of using Transportation Security Administration employees. A recorded vote is also expected on this language.

House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said he wanted to propose an amendment to require that DHS regulations only be released once it is determined that they will not hurt private-sector job creation. However, Issa withdrew this amendment.