GOP takes victory lap around Pelosi after passing border wall bill

House Republicans are taking a victory lap around Minority Leader Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiMoulton drops out of presidential race after struggling to gain traction Conservatives push Trump tariff relief over payroll tax cuts Democrats press FBI, DHS on response to white supremacist violence MORE (D-Calif.) after GOP lawmakers passed a funding bill that would provide $5 billion for President TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Hill's Campaign Report: Democratic field begins to shrink ahead of critical stretch To ward off recession, Trump should keep his mouth and smartphone shut Trump: 'Who is our bigger enemy,' Fed chief or Chinese leader? MORE's proposed border wall.

 

“Nancy Pelosi learned two things today," Rep. Mark WalkerBradley (Mark) Mark WalkerOn The Money: House passes sweeping budget, debt limit deal | Dem court filing defends powers to get Trump's NY tax returns | Debt collectors to pay M to settle consumer bureau charges House passes sweeping budget, debt limit deal Romney to vote against budget deal: Agreement 'perpetuates fiscal recklessness' MORE (R-N.C.) said in a statement Thursday night. "First, it’s not 2009 anymore. Second, hubris is not the same as leadership – you don’t get to march into the Oval Office and dictate your demands without compromise." 

 

Pelosi clashed with Trump last week in a tense, televised Oval Office meeting, where she bickered with him over whether Republicans could muster the votes to pass a border wall bill in the House.

 

"The fact is you do not have the votes in the House," Pelosi told Trump.

 

"Nancy, I do," he responded, to which Pelosi replied, "Well, let's take the vote and we'll find out."

 

The House approved a stopgap funding measure on Thursday night that includes $5.7 billion in funding for the wall. The bill passed in a party-line vote of 217-185.

 

Rep. Tom ColeThomas (Tom) Jeffrey ColeTo fix retirement, we need to understand it On The Money: Trump banks on Fed, China to fuel 2020 economy | Judge orders parties to try to reach deal in lawsuit over Trump tax returns | Warren targets corporate power with plan to overhaul trade policy Lawmakers point to entitlements when asked about deficits MORE (R-Okla.) said the bill's passage was a setback for Pelosi, who is expected to become Speaker in January.

 

"I think she may be a good vote-counter, but not on our side of the aisle," Cole said.

 

After Pelosi's public challenge to Trump, some Republicans said they felt it was politically imperative to prove her wrong.

 

"I think a lot of folks thought she was bluffing, but we needed to prove it, and us proving it is a good step," said Rep. Mike ConawayKenneth (Mike) Michael ConawayTexas faces turbulent political moment Democratic Party official: Texas is 'biggest battleground state in the country' Another Texas congressman planning to retire MORE (R-Texas).

 

House Majority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseManchin: Trump has 'golden opportunity' on gun reforms Sunday shows - Trump's Epstein conspiracy theory retweet grabs spotlight Sanders: Trump doesn't 'want to see somebody get shot' but 'creates the climate for it' MORE (R-La.) said Friday that the vote was a show of force to Pelosi on behalf of Trump.

 

"We just gave him serious leverage in whatever negotiations he is going to have with the Senate," Scalise told Fox News. "They have to confront this issue knowing that we have the president’s back in the House."

 

Scalise's press secretary, Lauren Fine, circulated a note Thursday night touting that just eight Republicans had voted against the border wall funding measure.

 

"I know things move fast around here, but wanted to remind you all that it was not too long ago that Nancy Pelosi claimed we would never be able pass $5 billion in funding for the wall with Republican votes in the House," Fine wrote.

 

The bill's passage was far from a foregone conclusion, and a victory for Scalise's whipping operation. GOP leadership last week was unable to secure enough votes to pass a $5 billion wall bill. They opted not to bring the bill to the floor last week, as they were bedeviled by absent members and moderates who oppose a wall.

 

Trump signaled earlier this week that he was stepping back from his initial demands and suggested he would accept a short-term stopgap measure to prevent a shutdown. But on Thursday morning GOP conservatives rebelled against passing a bill without border wall funding.

 

Trump did an about-face, saying on Twitter that he was now demanding wall funding. He also threatened again to shut down the government if Congress did not provide funds for a wall. Republicans settled on a plan to add $5.7 billion in wall funding and border security to the Senate-passed bill and take a vote.

 

Suddenly, it was Democrats who found themselves scrambling for votes, with several of their own members out of town. For example, Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellInslee seeking third term as governor after ending presidential bid The Hill's Morning Report - Trump touts new immigration policy, backtracks on tax cuts Inslee drops out of 2020 presidential race MORE (D-Calif.), a potential 2020 contender, was in Iowa when the vote took place.

 

"There was a point today where 45 were gone," said Rep. Richard NealRichard Edmund NealDemocrats push judge for quick action on Trump tax returns lawsuit Trump argues NY tax return case should take place in DC NY files motion to keep Trump tax returns lawsuit out of DC court MORE (D-Mass.), the likely incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

 

During morning votes, both parties had 26 members absent. By evening, Democrats had 20 missing, while the GOP was without 11. Even if all the absent Democrats voted against the resolution, they would not have been able to sink the bill.

 

Democrats have defended Pelosi, saying that at the time she issued the challenge to Trump last week it was true that Republicans didn't have the votes. The showdown seemed to persuade many Republicans who opposed the wall to end up voting for the measure in a sign of solidarity.

 

"It led Republicans to vote for a policy that, you understand, they hadn't put on the floor for 11 months and 20 days," said Democratic Whip Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerOmar says US should reconsider aid to Israel Liberal Democrat eyes aid cuts to Israel after Omar, Tlaib denied entry Lawmakers blast Trump as Israel bars door to Tlaib and Omar MORE (Md.). "They didn't put it on the floor because they didn't think they could pass it."

 

"I think they got the votes because it became a political show of ability to do it, not because it's good policy," he added.