Before a mostly-full ballroom at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican and potential presidential candidate recounted his personal history, one that took his parents — with little money, no connections, and limited education — from Cuba to South Florida.

The rebellious Republican-controlled House unexpectedly voted down short-term funding for the Department of Homeland Security late Friday, increasing the prospect of a partial shutdown at midnight of an agency with major anti-terrorism responsibilities.