ERICA WERNER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are prepared to pass a bill declaring President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration “null and void.”

But even supporters acknowledge that the bill by Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida is mostly meant to send a message. It stands little chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate and would face certain veto by Obama.

Instead, its passage Thursday would set the stage for the real showdown over legislation to keep the government running past Dec. 11, when a current funding measure expires. Conservatives are demanding language in the spending bill to strip money to pay for Obama’s move to defer deportations and grant work permits to more than 4 million immigrants here illegally.

House GOP leaders fear such language would court a government shutdown.