In the aftermath of their historic victories in the midterm elections, congressional
Republicans made a vow of unity, but just two weeks later, the leadership is battling to keep conservatives in line over the immigration issue.
According to
The Washington Post, President Barack Obama's announcement of executive action on immigration is sparking a new round of intraparty fighting about how the
GOP should respond to his plans.
"It is the first real challenge for Boehner and McConnell together," New York Rep. Peter King told the Post. "They'd like to wipe the slate clean for when they start up next year, with this situation behind us."
Some conservatives have proposed using the spending bill to defund Obama's intended reforms, forcing a showdown with the president that would likely end in a government shutdown.
Others are opposed to that tactic, believing it will damage the party's credibility in governing moving forward.
McConnell said after the election that a
shutdown would not be among the options he would allow when challenging the president on immigration.
Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent said the leadership has asked members "not to play into the president's hands."
"The president wants to see an angry and intemperate response, thinking the Republicans will do something that leads to a shutdown," Dent told the Post. "Don't take the bait, and don't have a hysterical reaction. We can be strong, rational and measured."
The leadership is considering a number of ideas to counter the president, among them, a lawsuit for executive overreach, removing funding for immigration agencies, or passing stand-alone legislation.
Another option being seriously considered is to finalize a spending bill that takes the government through the end of the year, and subsequently rescind parts of immigration-related funding, the Post reported.
"We are considering a variety of options," McConnell said Thursday in a floor speech, according to the Post. He suggested that his preference would be to avoid a fiscal fight in the weeks before the GOP takes control of the Senate.
Boehner said during a news conference Friday that he is working with Republicans to formulate a response, but promised that "the House will in fact act."
Nevertheless, some conservative lawmakers are advocating other confrontational approaches.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says the Senate should turn up the heat on the president by blocking many of his presidential nominees and also use the "power of the purse" to undermine the executive action.
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is pushing for a series of stopgap spending bills intended to pressure the president to give in, the Post reported.
Iowa Rep. Steve King has suggested that impeachment is an option to be considered.
"We have constitutional authority to do a string of things. [Impeachment] would be the very last option, but I would not rule it out," King said Thursday on CNN, according to the Post.
Arizona Sen. John McCain also waded into the debate, issuing a warning to conservatives to hold their tongues.
"It only takes a couple" of comments for an unflattering narrative to build about the Republican response, said McCain, according to the Post.
"That's the trouble with having some of these new, young punks around here. They ought to listen to us old geezers."