Senate Republicans Advance Plan to Fund ICE and CBP Amid Democratic Opposition

Senate Republicans are advancing a budget resolution aimed at funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the budget reconciliation process, which allows passage with a simple majority, circumventing the typical 60-vote threshold.

The proposed resolution would authorize the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees to draft legislation increasing spending by up to $70 billion each, totaling approximately $70 billion, to fund these agencies for over three years, covering the remainder of President Trump's term.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the plan, stating that Republicans are prioritizing funding for immigration enforcement without implementing common-sense reforms, while Democrats aim to address affordability issues for Americans.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been partially shut down since February 14, following two deadly shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. Democrats have withheld support for DHS funding without reforms to its immigration enforcement agencies.

The Senate is currently engaged in a "vote-a-rama," a series of consecutive votes on numerous amendments, as part of the budget reconciliation process. This procedure allows Republicans to advance the funding plan despite Democratic opposition.