ours. >> reporter: the president said the bill would force talented community leaders to leave the country. >> it does not make sense for us to want to push talent out, rather than make sure that they're staying here and contributing to society. >> house speaker john boehner rejected criticism from some conservatives of his multistep approach to immigration in funding the government, and says there are limits with democrat harry reid leading the senate. come january, we'll have a republican house and republican senate and we'll be in a stronger position to take actions. >> reporter: the pushback on immigration comes ahead of a critical vote on funding the government beyond december 11th. boehner expects strong bipartisan support. but the democratic leader says unless he has 218 votes she has leverage. >> we want to work together to pass a bill to keep government open, but we can't do it unless we have a bill worthy of our support. >> reporter: meanwhile the department of homeland security is going guard with hiring about