The Senate on Friday morning approved a bill that would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ending a two-month standoff between Republicans and Democrats.
Senate Republicans accepted a Democrat proposal to provide funding for all of DHS except Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which includes border security.
The Senate approved the funding package by voice vote and the chamber will be in recess for two weeks. The House could vote on the legislation as soon as Friday.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on Friday called the result “unfortunate.”
He said, “Dems wanted reforms. We tried to work with them on reforms. They didn’t get any reforms but, you know, we’ll have to fight some of those battles another day.”
The legislation received Senate approval after President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would have DHS pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who have been working without pay since the shutdown began a month and a half ago.
Democrats have cut off funding for DHS because they want to ban federal agents conducting immigration raids across the country. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretty have prompted many Democrats to demand that DHS agents not wear masks, require judicial warrants for immigration raids, and more.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Friday, “Senate Democrats were clear: no blank check for a lawless ICE and Border Patrol.”
“Democrats remain steadfast in our opposition that Donald Trump’s evil and deadly militias should not get more funding without serious reforms.”
While congressional lawmakers figure out how to address ICE and Border Patrol funding and conduct, both agencies can continue to draw on nearly $140 billion in funding from the Big Beautiful bill.
It’s possible that a second Republican reconciliation bill, which could pass the Senate with only 51 votes, could increase immigration enforcement funding.
Thune said this remains a “good possibility”.
“What’s going to happen next is going to supercharge deportations,” said Sen. Eric Schmidt (R-MO).
