President Obama and congressional lawmakers are praising Congress after they finally passed legislation to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the 2015 fiscal quarter, expiring Sept. 30, the bill to have no adverse affect on the president's immigration executive actions despite conservative lawmakers' efforts to block its implementation.

While lawmakers agreed that the DHS should be funded, gridlock occurred over Obama's immigration executive actions, but House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, told House Republicans to move forward with legislation without additional amendments. With Boehner's announcement, representatives voted 257-167 to approve the Senate's DHS funding bill.

Although Boehner, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Majority Whip Steve Scalise have not issued a statement, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, the chair of the House Republican Conference and highest ranking Republican woman in Congress, voted in favor of the DHS funding bill despite her opposition to Obama's immigration executive actions.

"[Tuesday] I voted to fund the Department of Homeland Security's lawful operations without providing any funding for the President's executive overreach on immigration. As we face rising terrorist threats across the globe, it is imperative we provide long-term certainty to those who defend our national security," said McMorris Rodgers, adding she has "repeatedly" voted to block the president's executive actions and disappointed with the Senate's refusal to negotiate on the funding bill.

She continued, "I sincerely hope the Senate will put solutions above obstruction in the future. I remain deeply concerned about President Obama's executive overreach in your lives - from immigration to health care to telecommunications to overregulation - and I will stand beside my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, in our fight to protect representative government."

The highest-ranking Democratic woman in Congress, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, said House Democrats have "made it clear" they are in support of the Senate's long-term DHS funding bill. She added, "We shouldn't wait another day to remove all doubt to our enemies, to American families and to the affected workers that we will fully fund the Department of Homeland Security."

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., said the vote was a "huge victory" for the U.S. and American families. He blamed the minority within the Republican Party for almost shutting down the DHS.

"What an embarrassment that it came to this," Gutierrez added. "Let's have a debate, let's have disagreements, but let's not allow Congress to toy with the pay-checks of border guards, airport security, and national security professionals to score points."

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, acknowledged the DHS funding bill's passage but noted the gridlock underlined the need for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. He added, "Funding for an agency as critical as DHS should never be a vehicle for partisan attacks. The brinksmanship we witnessed these past few weeks highlights the urgent need to pass legislation that comprehensively reforms our country's broken immigration system."

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard declared the bill's passage was a victory for Americans' safety and security and provides DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson the necessary funding for his department and its employees.

"It ensures that DHS personnel will remain on the job, without having to worry about whether or not they can pay their mortgage or put food on the table," stated Roybal-Allard. "DHS can now make important long-term investments in our security, rather than just trying to survive from one Continuing Resolution to the next."

With debate on DHS funding over, Royal-Allard noted other important topics should be addressed including reforming the U.S. immigration system.

In a tweet following the House vote, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., wrote "HouseGOP finally woke up: Shutting down DHS should never be part of their political games."

The White House issue a statement by Obama, who recognized the work by DHS' employees, ranging from border security, disaster response, coast guards, cybersecurity protection and airport and port security.

"They're law enforcement professionals and brave patriots who do a remarkable job, and deserve our gratitude and respect," said Obama. "Today, after far too long, Congress finally voted to fully fund their mission. To make sure the Americans who protect our country and our people have the resources they need to get the job done, I will sign this bill into law as soon as I receive it."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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