Senate Passes $70B Bill Funding ICE and Border Patrol Through 2029

Senate Republicans pushed through roughly $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol early Friday morning after an 18-hour series of votes. The measure funds those agencies through the end of President Trump's term and now moves to the House.

The 52-47 vote came just before 5 a.m. following a marathon "vote-a-rama" that allowed unlimited amendments. Only one Republican, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, joined Democrats in opposition. The package allocates about $38 billion to ICE and $22 billion to Border Patrol, along with smaller amounts for related Department of Homeland Security operations.

Republicans had sought the money for months to support expanded enforcement at the southern border. Democrats had blocked earlier attempts, contributing to the longest partial government shutdown in history over disputes tied to immigration spending. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that Democrats refused to negotiate and walked away from talks, apparently preferring to keep the issue alive for the November elections.

Much of the overnight debate centered on an unrelated $1.8 billion Justice Department settlement fund created to resolve claims of government targeting. Democrats and a handful of Republicans tried repeatedly to attach language that would block payments under the fund or redirect them elsewhere. Those efforts failed. Thune described the fund as a settled matter after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche assured Congress it would not proceed as originally outlined.

The episode exposed some tensions inside Republican ranks, particularly among senators facing tough reelection races. Amendments targeting the settlement fund and other items forced party leaders to manage defections carefully. Still, the core funding measure held together on final passage.

Critics of the settlement fund argued it could benefit individuals tied to the January 6 Capitol events. Supporters viewed it as a necessary response to past abuses of federal power against political opponents. Either way, the immigration funding bill advanced without new restrictions on the fund.

The House is expected to consider the package next week. Passage there would mark a concrete step toward sustained resources for border and interior enforcement operations that have been stalled for much of the year.