Republicans Pass Trump Priority Over Democratic Opposition
The Senate passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill early Friday morning after an 18-hour marathon session marked by internal Republican divisions and Democratic resistance. The chamber voted 52-47 to approve the legislation, which provides three years of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol through 2029. Only one Republican, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted against the bill. No Democrats supported it.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a narrow 217-212 majority. House leadership expects a vote as early as next week.
The Fight Over Trump's Compensation Fund
The overnight session stretched long due to disputes over a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that could compensate Trump's political allies for allegations they were targeted by the government. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified in the House on Tuesday that the Department of Justice would drop plans for the fund, but President Trump created confusion on Wednesday when he told reporters he was unsure about abandoning it.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced an amendment Thursday night to kill the fund entirely. It gained support from three Republicans facing reelection in November: Susan Collins of Maine, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Jon Husted of Ohio. The amendment failed. Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, offered a separate amendment to redirect the fund's money toward fraud enforcement instead. Eight GOP senators supported an amendment to prevent payouts to January 6 insurrectionists. Both proposals failed.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters the fund was a "settled issue" based on Blanche's testimony. "I find it very hard to believe that they're going to submit somebody who sat in front of a committee in the House and made definitive statements about this and then somehow all of a sudden turn around and go back on them," Thune said.
Why Democrats Blocked Earlier Funding
The Senate was forced to use budget reconciliation, a fast-track legislative procedure that bypasses the normal 60-vote threshold, because Democrats refused to support immigration enforcement funding without restrictions on agency tactics. Democrats demanded limits on face-coverings worn by federal agents and a body camera mandate after ICE and Border Patrol agents killed two American citizens in Minnesota earlier this year.
Congress ended a 76-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown in late April with a partial funding bill, but Democrats continued refusing to provide additional money for ICE and the Border Patrol.
What Happens Next
The bill contains no language barring the Trump administration from creating the compensation fund, despite Republican concerns. If the House passes the legislation next week, it will go to Trump's desk for his signature. House Republican leaders expect the bill to pass next week. Republicans hold a 217-212 majority. While Trump faces criticism within his party over his handling of the Iran war, White House ballroom funding requests, and the anti-weaponization fund, immigration enforcement maintains broad GOP support.
