Speaker John A. Boehner struck a defiant tone Thursday when addressing reporters about a pending shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security: The House acted six weeks ago and it is waiting for the Senate to act.

“We’re waiting to see what the Senate can or can’t do, and then we’ll make decisions about how we’re going to proceed,” Boehner said, a refrain he has echoed numerous times this week. “We passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security six weeks ago. Six weeks ago! It’s time for the Senate to act … How many times do I have to say it?”

When pressed about public knowledge of the Senate’s plans to pass a “clean” DHS bill, Boehner simply replied with air kisses.

“When we make decisions I’ll let you know.”