Senate passes $70B bill to fund immigration enforcement, without limits on Trump ‘anti-weaponization’ fund

Senate Approves $70 Billion Measure Funding Immigration Enforcement Through Trump Term

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a $70 billion bill early Friday to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of President Donald Trump’s term. The legislation advanced on a 52-47 vote after weeks of negotiations and delays tied to a separate $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund.

The measure allocates $38.6 billion to ICE, $22.6 billion to the Border Patrol, $5 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, and $108.5 million for child exploitation investigations. It does not include funding for White House ballroom security.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was the only Republican to oppose the package. All Democrats present voted against it. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., did not vote. Murkowski objected to the use of budget reconciliation, which permits passage by simple majority, and to the inclusion of the anti-weaponization fund. She said the multi-year funding approach bypassed the regular appropriations process.

The anti-weaponization fund originated from a Department of Justice settlement in the lawsuit President Trump v. IRS, which addressed claims involving the leak of tax returns. The fund was designed to address allegations of government weaponization. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress on Tuesday that the administration is not moving forward with the fund. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., described the matter as settled following Blanche’s statements.

During an 18-hour vote-a-rama, senators offered 29 amendments. Eight Republicans supported an amendment that would have barred payments from the fund to individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol events. The amendment did not reach the 60 votes required for adoption. Other amendments seeking to restrict or eliminate the fund also failed.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Republicans had refused to place permanent statutory limits on the fund and were relying on an administration commitment instead. He also noted that Democrats’ proposals on housing, health care, gas, and child care costs were not adopted.

Senators separately blocked a procedural vote to begin consideration of an extension of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authority for warrantless surveillance of non-U.S. citizens abroad. The motion failed 47-52. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the only Democrat to support proceeding. Seven Republicans voted against it: Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Rick Scott of Florida, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Democrats cited concerns over the appointment of housing official Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.

The bill now moves to the House, which is not scheduled to vote until next week. Earlier plans to consider the measure were postponed because of disagreements over the anti-weaponization fund. The Trump administration has given differing signals on the fund, with Blanche stating it will not proceed while the president has indicated it remains under consideration. Democrats have said they will continue pressing for statutory restrictions and have linked further funding for ICE and Border Patrol to new limits on agency operations following the deaths of two Americans in Minnesota.