Are you saying that a Republican (this time) President has no influence or leadership role in getting legislation (from a majority Republican ) House & Senate passed?

Liz,

Not at all. What I am saying is that the DHS Bill passed by a large majority, much larger than a party-line vote. There were more than the 50+ Republican Senators and 220+ Republican Congressmen who voted in favor of it. If the vote was close, the case could be made that the white house strongarmed the legislation through. That's not the case here, 88 democrats voted for it in the house, and 30+ voted for it in the senate.