Senate Clears Path For ICE Funding Amid House Resistance
Senate approved 50-48 resolution to use reconciliation to pre-fund ICE/CBP for roughly $70–$140 billion; House hardliners push back and final legislation must still be drafted in committees.
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TIME MagazineThe Two Republicans Who Broke Ranks as GOP Clears Path for ICE Funding
Overview
The Senate passed a budget resolution early Thursday on a 50-48 vote that clears a reconciliation path to fund ICE and Border Patrol, with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul joining Democrats in opposition.
The resolution sets up a reconciliation process intended to pre-fund immigration enforcement for roughly $70 to $140 billion through the remainder of the Trump presidency and followed an overnight "vote-a-rama."
House hardliners and Freedom Caucus members resisted the "skinny" reconciliation strategy, with Rep. Keith Self calling partial funding dead on arrival and Rep. Warren Davidson threatening to oppose the Senate framework.
Sen. Rand Paul proposed offsets to fully pay for border security, suggesting cuts including $5 billion in refugee welfare, more than $45 billion in foreign aid, nearly $4 billion from the National Science Foundation and a 16% Education cut.
The resolution now moves to the House, where leaders must accept or broaden the framework, committees will draft final legislation, Republicans said they hope to advance it by next month, and Trump has demanded a bill by June 1.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a neutral, procedural account of the Senate budget vote, attributing contested claims to named actors and including competing perspectives. They explain reconciliation mechanics, quote both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, note Republican and Democratic priorities, and situate the dispute in recent shootings and past negotiations.