Senate Passes Republican Budget Measure to Fund ICE and Border Patrol
Republicans in the United States Senate have passed a budget resolution that clears the way for funding US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without Democratic support. The vote occurred early Thursday morning after an all-night session known as a “vote-a-rama,” during which senators considered numerous amendments.
The resolution, backed by 50 Republicans, allows Congress to allocate up to $140 billion for ICE and Border Patrol operations, whereas GOP leaders indicated they expect to spend approximately half that amount. Two Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure, resulting in a final vote of 50-2 against, with the remaining senators either supporting the resolution or not voting.
Senate Republicans used a procedural tactic to pass the resolution with a simple majority, bypassing the usual 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster. This step is the first in a multi-stage process that must still include approval from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and the development of actual funding legislation by congressional committees.
Trump administration officials have stated they desire the final funding bill on the president’s desk by June 1. The measure comes amid ongoing debate over the administration’s immigration enforcement policies, which have faced criticism following incidents such as the fatal shooting of two US citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Before any funding can be enacted, the House must pass its own version of the resolution. After both chambers agree on a budget framework, appropriations committees will draft the specific spending legislation, which will then be subject to further votes in both the Senate and House.
The development marks a significant step in resolving a months-long standoff over Department of Homeland Security funding that had been delayed due to disagreements over immigration policy.