Senate Approves Budget Plan to Fund ICE and Border Patrol Amid Homeland Security Shutdown
The U.S. Senate has passed a budget resolution to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, aiming to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down since mid-February.
The U.S. Senate voted early Thursday to adopt a budget plan allocating $70 billion to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for three years, aiming to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has been shut down since mid-February.
The 50-48 vote, conducted through the budget reconciliation process, allows Republicans to bypass filibuster rules. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated,
"We have a multistep process ahead of us, but at the end Republicans will have helped ensure that America's borders are secure and prevented Democrats from defunding these important agencies."
Democrats opposed the measure, advocating for reforms to federal immigration enforcement, including better identification for federal officers and increased use of judicial warrants. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N ... ., commented,
"Instead of pumping hundreds of billions ... ."
The budget resolution now moves to the House of Representatives, where its passage remains uncertain due to internal GOP divisions and potential additions of other legislative priorities. Thune warned that without swift action, other parts of DHS could run out of funding before the process concludes.