Christian vonPreysing

A deadline looms and debate continues over the a bill in Washington that keeps federal border agents employed.

Just days ago the house passed that homeland appropriations bill.

That's what funds the Department of Homeland Security, and keeps border patrol agents as well as CBP on the payroll.

Lawmakers have until February 27th to get the funding passed.

Congressman Henry Cuellar says the house version includes language that would nullify President Obama's recent executive orders on immigration.

That has democratic lawmakers upset and some say the senate is not likely to likely to pass it.

Cuellar says lawmakers shouldn't jeopardize homeland security with a fight.

"They're basically trying to put those people back in the shadows. What the president does is at least say 'Hey you gotta register'. I think that would be good because we need to know who those people are. Right now there's millions of people, we have no idea who they are", said Congressman Henry Cuellar.

Cuellar says he voted against the bill because of some of that language introduced by Republicans.

He says he added his own amendments, which passed, including reimbursement to municipalities who have given humanitarian care to immigrants.

And an order for professionalism training among CBP officers on the bridges.

If the appropriations bill does not pass the senate it will be redrafted and voted on by the house of representatives.