Senate GOP Unveils Budget Resolution To Fast-Track $70 Billion ICE And Border Patrol Funding
Senate Republicans unveiled a budget resolution to fast-track about $70 billion in new funding for ICE and Border Patrol. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham formally released a 58-page resolution that GOP leaders plan to use to push the package through the Senate. Republicans say the move aims to secure enforcement funding without Democratic votes and to shore up border and removal operations ahead of the rest of the presidential term.
The resolution authorizes up to $70 billion in new spending authority for Judiciary and the Department of Homeland Security, and aides say the final bill should total about $70 billion, not $140 billion. Senate Republicans want to use the budget fast-track process so the measures can pass without Democratic votes and to lock in ICE and parts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection funding for about 3.5 years. DHS has operated without full appropriations since Feb. 14, with the president temporarily paying agency employees while most of the department lacks normal funding. Sen. John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson agreed to pursue routine appropriations for most DHS while moving ICE and CBP money into the fast-track vehicle. Some House Republicans are balking at advancing broader DHS funding until the fast-track bill is finished, slowing the overall deal. Thune says he has spoken with the Senate parliamentarian, calling the fast-track approach not the "ideal way" but blaming Democrats for blocking bipartisan appropriations.
Early coverage produced mixed figures, with a Fox News headline describing a $140 billion price tag and other reporting suggesting a larger package. More recent reporting, including the 58-page resolution release and GOP aides' statements, narrowed the expected cost to about $70 billion and emphasized the use of the budget fast-track process. That shift matters because the higher figure had circulated widely online and shaped public reaction to the scope and political stakes of the plan.
đ Key Facts
- Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham has formally released a 58-page budget resolution as the vehicle for the plan.
- The resolution authorizes up to $70 billion in new spending authority for the Judiciary and Homeland Security; aides expect the final bill to total about $70 billion (not $140 billion).
- Republicans intend to use the budget reconciliation process so they can pass immigration enforcement funding without Democratic votes.
- The plan would fund ICE and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for about 3.5 years, effectively locking in enforcement funding for the remainder of the Trump presidency.
- The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down since Feb. 14; the president is temporarily paying DHS employees while most of the department lacks normal appropriations.
- Sen. John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson struck a deal to fund most of DHS through regular appropriations while placing ICE and CBP funding into reconciliation; Thune has held "a number of conversations" with the Senate parliamentarian, acknowledged reconciliation is not the "ideal way" to do this, and blamed Democrats for blocking bipartisan appropriations.
- Some House Republicans are balking at advancing broader DHS funding until the reconciliation bill is finished, slowing the overall deal.
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms a 58-page budget resolution has been formally released by Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham as the vehicle for the plan.
- Clarifies that the resolution authorizes up to $70 billion in new spending authority for Judiciary and Homeland Security, with aides expecting the final bill to total about $70 billion, not $140 billion.
- States Republicans intend to use the budget reconciliation process so they can pass immigration enforcement funding without Democratic votes.
- Says the plan would fund ICE and parts of CBP for 3.5 years, effectively locking in enforcement funding for the remainder of the Trump presidency.
- Notes DHS has been shut down since Feb. 14, with the president temporarily paying DHS employees while most of the department lacks normal appropriations.
- Details an agreement between Sen. John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson to fund most of DHS through regular appropriations while putting ICE and CBP funding into reconciliation.
- Reports some House Republicans are balking at advancing broader DHS funding until the reconciliation bill is finished, slowing the overall deal.
- Adds that Thune has been in "a number of conversations" with the Senate parliamentarian and acknowledges reconciliation is not the "ideal way" to do this but blames Democrats for blocking bipartisan appropriations.