GOP furious over illegal immigration vote

House Republicans are seething this morning over a contentious vote on illegal immigration.

The late-night motion on the 2008 agriculture spending bill would have sent the measure back to the committee level while also amending it to bar the use of federal funds to provide housing for illegal immigrants. The Republican motion had won, 215-213 when the gavel fell, but then shouting erupted as Democrats tried to change the vote.

On Friday House Republicans were still fuming and said the anger is about taxpayer dollars, not parliamentary procedure.

``There are people in this town that are willing to break the rules just so illegal aliens can get benefits,’’ San Diego Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray said at a press conference moments to go.

``There’s going to be hell to pay this summer over this issue,’’ he warned. ``This just goes to show why the American people don’t trust Washington to do the right thing on illegal immigration.’’

Democrats ultimately passed the bill by 237-18 on a vote boycotted by most Republicans, including Reps. Howard ``Buck’’ McKeon, D-Santa Clarita; David Dreier, R-Glendale; Jerry Lewis, R-San Bernardino; Gary Miller, R-Diamond Bar; and Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach. Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks, voted against the bill.

Gallegly this morning stood by his decision to cast a vote while the majority of his GOP colleagues walked off the House floor

"I came here to vote on issues and to legislate," he said. "I don’t walk away from votes."