Senate Advances Republican Immigration Funding Bill

Throughout the night, the Senate pushed forward a Republican budget resolution, earmarking $70 billion for immigration enforcement. This move aims to resolve the Democratic-led shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

From Wednesday afternoon until the early hours of Thursday, senators cast votes on various amendments, which were part of the broader Republican initiative to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

During this intense legislative session, the situation arises amid an ongoing shutdown that began in mid-February. An attempt in March saw the Senate approving a funding package via voice vote at 2 a.m., which would have allocated funds for all of DHS, excluding ICE and CBP. However, that package was rejected by the House. On its part, the House passed a separate 60-day continuing resolution to fund the entire department, yet it failed to gain Senate approval.

The Senate’s budget resolution managed to advance with a narrow vote of 50-48, largely falling along party lines. Notably, Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) broke ranks, voting against the immigration funding.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York was quick to criticize Republican efforts, asserting that they are funding “rogue institutions,” a sentiment suggesting that they’re out of touch with the realities faced by everyday Americans. He questioned, “What kind of bubble do they live in?” and expressed concern for Democrats’ disconnect from the true needs of the public.

In light of expected Democratic opposition to the funding bill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune remains hopeful about collaboration between the House and Senate to secure essential funding for these agencies. Earlier this month, Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) outlined a “two-track approach” which would aim to reopen DHS, while also earmarking funding for immigration enforcement.

Thune noted that following this dual strategy, a Republican Congress would not only fully restore the department but also ensure that all federal employees receive pay, while funding immigration enforcement and border security for the upcoming three years. He added, “In return, Democrats will reiterate to the American people their support for open borders and keeping criminal illegal immigrants in America.”