The leaders of the Republican Congress never wanted it to be like this: another cycle of lurching from crisis to crisis, fueling the impression that the GOP cannot govern. But two months into the new Congress, House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are struggling to maintain their grip on power and their ability to carry out the lofty political agenda that they promised voters last fall. In a late-night drama Friday, Congress barely averted letting money run out at Homeland Security, which includes agencies that oversee the nation's borders, customs enforcement, airport screenings, presidential security and other critical responsibilities. As the midnight deadline approached, the House and Senate finally agreed to a one-week funding measure that only prolongs the uncertainty. President Obama signed the bill just before midnight. Over the next week, lawmakers will face another threat to shut down Homeland Security from conservatives convinced they can use the issue to stop President Obama's plan to shield millions of immigrants from deportation. It's a battle GOP leaders had desperately sought to avoid. Read more http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-congress-gop-20150301-story.html
