Senate Republicans advance $70 billion boost for immigration enforcement funding

Senate Republicans pushed through a budget blueprint that would unlock roughly $70 billion for immigration enforcement after an overnight fight in which Democrats tried, and failed, to force votes on affordability. The Senate adopted the resolution 50-48 just after 3:30 a.m. Eastern, with Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in opposition.

The resolution is nonbinding, but it sets the stage for reconciliation legislation, a process that can clear the Senate with a simple majority instead of the usual 60 votes. It authorizes the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to draft legislation that could increase spending by up to $70 billion each, though Republicans said the final package would total about $70 billion overall. The money is intended to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Protection for more than three years, through the rest of President Donald Trump’s term.

Democrats used the five-hour vote-a-rama to press amendments on housing, health care, electric costs, groceries, child care, gas and health insurance tax credits, trying to make the case that Republicans were choosing enforcement over household relief. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats wanted to underscore the contrast between lowering costs and what he called funding for Donald Trump’s “private army.” Sen. Patty Murray said Republicans were offering a “massive blank check” for ICE and Border Patrol.

Republicans cast the plan as a response to the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began in mid-February. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the money would cover “critical functions,” including law enforcement, drug interdiction, border security and protecting children. Trump has urged Republicans to stay united and has set a June 1 deadline for final passage, raising the pressure on lawmakers to finish the work quickly.

The vote followed an earlier 52-46 party-line decision to proceed to the budget resolution. GOP leaders had wanted to keep the bill “skinny” to speed it through the Senate, but some Republicans, including Sen. John Kennedy, warned that ignoring the cost of living could become a political liability heading into the midterm elections. The resolution now moves to the House, where the broader fight over immigration enforcement, shutdown politics and affordability will continue to define the party’s governing priorities.