Senate Republicans voted along party lines Thursday to advance their reconciliation bill targeting immigration enforcement, clearing away weeks of internal feuding that had stalled the measure on the chamber floor.
The dispute centered on provisions far removed from immigration: funding for a White House ballroom renovation and a controversial "anti-weaponization" fund that had become a political liability. After stripping both items and securing assurances from the administration that the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization initiative would not be resurrected, GOP leadership secured enough support to move ahead.
The bill, designed to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations, now faces a procedural vote-a-rama beginning Friday, where Democrats will unleash dozens of amendments intended to put Republicans in difficult positions ahead of 2026 midterm races.
Yet Republicans themselves remain unconvinced the administration's promises will hold. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina is circulating an amendment that would legislatively prohibit revival of the anti-weaponization fund, arguing the political damage is already severe.
"When you're explaining, you're losing," Tillis told reporters. "There's no way to explain the $1.776 billion fund. The only way you can explain it is explain that you got rid of it."
He urged fellow Republicans facing reelection to imagine defending the original proposal on the campaign trail. "I stand solidly behind an administration that wants to potentially provide compensation to people who assaulted Capitol Police officers," Tillis said sarcastically. "Test that on the stump and see how it works out for you."
At least one colleague is listening. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska indicated interest in the legislative fix. "I'm in the camp that wants to see it dead, dead, dead," she said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has signaled Democrats will use Friday's amendment votes to force uncomfortable choices for Republicans. He vowed to push measures against what he called Trump's "weaponization slush fund" and to block any IRS settlement that grants Trump tax audit immunity.
"I will personally push to permanently ban both the slush fund and the blank check Trump cut to himself and his family that would allow them to cheat on their taxes," Schumer said.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "The internal GOP rebellion over those buried provisions reveals how fragile Republican unity remains on Trump's agenda, especially when the bill's contents drift from stated priorities into territory that looks indefensible to voters."
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