Republicans Do Not Remove Chuck Schumer’s Exemption From Funding Plan

Conservative Lawmakers Fail to Cut Funding for Nonprofits Helping Immigrants

On Friday, a group of conservative Republican lawmakers attempted, but ultimately failed, to eliminate federal funding for left-leaning nonprofits that assist undocumented immigrants.

In a vote of 58-42, the amendment aimed at cutting $500,000 from the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), a New York City-based organization. This funding had been secured by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as part of a larger spending package. All Democrats supported the amendment, which was sponsored by Republican Senator Mike Lee from Utah.

The vote featured some division among Republicans; 11 of them were in favor of the motion. Senators who supported it included John Boozman (Arkansas), Susan Collins (Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia), Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), and several others. A number of these senators sit on committees that handle budget requests.

NICE, located in Queens, offers legal education and workforce training for non-citizens navigating the immigration process with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Senator Rick Scott, a prominent critic of the organization, expressed his views in favor of the amendment. “Why should American taxpayers support those in the country illegally when so many citizens are struggling?” he questioned.

Scott further argued that balancing the federal budget is essential for controlling inflation and lowering interest rates.

On the other side, Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, opposed the motion, suggesting it could disrupt funding plans and complicate the spending process. “This is not how this should work,” she insisted, criticizing Lee’s approach.

This vote occurred as the Senate prepared to finalize a bipartisan spending agreement that would fund various federal departments for the remainder of the fiscal year. As part of the deal, temporary funding for the Department of Homeland Security was also on the table while negotiations regarding immigration reforms continued, prompted by a recent tragedy involving a federal officer and a U.S. citizen in Minnesota.

The Senate also voted 67-33 to set aside another of Lee’s amendments aimed at removing all appropriations from the spending package. Democrats unanimously rejected it.

Lee, emphasizing his stance, questioned the need for taxpayer funding of organizations perceived as promoting controversial practices, such as providing legal aid to undocumented immigrants. He reiterated a call to end what he described as misuse of government funds.