The Republican-controlled Senate passed legislation early Friday to fund immigration enforcement through the remainder of President Trump's term, clearing the way to end a partial government shutdown that began in February. The vote was 52-47, with no Democratic support.
The bill allocates $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and border patrol operations over three years. Only one Republican broke ranks: Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The Senate used the budget reconciliation process to bypass the Democratic filibuster and move the measure forward.
The House is expected to take up the legislation next week, where passage is anticipated given Republican control of that chamber.
The funding package did not block a $1.8 billion settlement fund that has become a flashpoint within the GOP. Known as the "anti-weaponization" fund, it stems from Trump's lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. Democrats had attempted to strip language blocking its use, while several Republicans fought to redirect the money to law enforcement officers injured during the January 6 Capitol riot.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana led a bipartisan amendment to redirect the settlement funds. Five Republicans joined all Democratic senators in supporting it: Susan Collins of Maine, Murkowski, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Jon Husted of Ohio, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The amendment failed because it needed 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the internal friction. "This would have been done several hours ago if we weren't having to deal with some of the issues around the fund," he said near midnight Thursday.
The debate over the settlement fund exposed deeper fractures within the Republican caucus. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had said earlier in the week that the money would not proceed, yet Trump muddled the message Wednesday by telling reporters the fund was "very important" and expressing uncertainty about its status.
The Senate also rejected an amendment by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey to restore funding for the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, an independent watchdog that investigates abuses by ICE and Customs and Border Protection. The office had been winding down due to budget constraints during the shutdown. The amendment failed on a party-line vote.
The contentious overnight session underscored how Trump's policies have created ongoing tension within Republican ranks, even as the party moved to prioritize immigration enforcement as an election-year priority.
Author James Rodriguez: "Republicans got their immigration funding, but the infighting over Trump's settlement windfall exposed just how fractured the party remains, and it's only going to get messier in the House."
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