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The 1971 San Diego Padres were a wretched lot. The team lost 100 games. Finished in last place, 28-and-a-half games out of first. They were the least-patronized team in the National League. The front office tired of the Padres losing ways and applied pressure on manager Preston Gomez. One day there was a close call at third base which clearly went against San Diego. But Gomez skipped out of the dugout anyway to argue with umpire Harry Wendelstedt. Upon arriving at third base, Gomez told Wendelstedt he knew the call was right but he was on orders from the Padres brass to put on a show. The Padres may not look like much on the field. But maybe the manager could show some spark and get into a good rhubarb with the umpires.

I dont mind, Preston, replied Wendelstedt. Take as long as you want.

House and Senate Republicans may not be as pathetic as Gomezs 71 Padres. But they sure cant figure out a way to avoid a calamitous shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on February 27. And like Gomez, they need to put on a good show and kick some dirt around the infield to show the conservative base they wont cave and will fight President Obama immigration executive orders.

Congress fully funded all federal departments except DHS in December. DHS was the lone stray because conservatives insisted to leaders they use that spending bill to block the executive orders. The House easily passed a DHS bill a few weeks ago. Now the Senate is stymied, unable to even summon the DHS legislation to the floor due to a Democratic filibuster. Democrats are more than willing to consider a clean DHS funding bill. But not one with the immigration attachments.

Senate Republicans have already engineered three procedural votes over the past few weeks to cut off the filibuster. Such an operation requires 60 yeas. Republicans only hold 54 Senate seats. Thus, the votes failed each time. Congress is now on recess for a week. Yet Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has scheduled a fourth procedural vote for Monday, February 23 with little chance of success.

But Republicans will put on a show.

Republicans will use the recess to stir up voters upset about the executive action. Republicans want them to call and write moderate Democratic senators who they think could be pressured into relenting to vote in favor of allowing the DHS bill to come to the Senate floor. For instance, Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) cut a video message for Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), urging him to switch his vote.

By voting to block debate, youre voting to block the democratic process. If you dont like the bill we sent you, change it. Offer amendments. Let democracy work, beseeched Messer of his fellow Hoosier.

This may not get anywhere. But it boosts the GOP faithful and blames the Democrats. And it comes at a time when the House Republican leadership and Senate Republican leadership cant agree on a path forward.

The House has done its job.Weve passed a bill. Its up to the Senate, said House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH).

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Republicans must stage a show on immigration