US Senate approves $70bn immigration enforcement funding ahead of House vote
The legislation, which supplements $170bn previously allocated via a 2025 tax bill, now moves to the House of Representatives where Republican leaders anticipate its adoption.
The United States Senate has passed a $70bn funding bill for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), securing financing for the agencies for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. The legislation, which passed early Friday morning following a marathon legislative session, adds to the $170bn already allocated to these departments through a 2025 tax bill.
The vote concluded a prolonged standoff that included a 76-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown earlier this year. Democrats had previously blocked further appropriations following the killing of two US citizens by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis in January. To bypass the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster, Senate Republicans utilised the budget reconciliation process, which permitted a series of rapid-fire amendments known as a “vote-a-rama”.
During the proceedings, Democrats attempted to remove an abandoned Department of Justice “anti-weaponisation fund” from the legislation. The fund, announced in May at $1.776bn, was designed to provide recompensation for individuals claiming politically motivated federal prosecutions. Although the Department of Justice has since abandoned the plan, Democrats characterised it as a slush fund for Trump’s allies. An amendment to bar the fund failed, as did a separate proposal by Republican Senator Thom Tillis to bar the plan and repurpose the funding.
Three Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the amendment to bar the fund, while six Republicans supported Senator Tillis’s amendment. Additionally, three unsuccessful proposals related to funding for Trump’s White House ballroom were rejected. Despite internal party dissent on these specific issues, immigration enforcement funding has maintained broad support among Republicans.
The bill now proceeds to the House of Representatives, where passage is considered likely due to the Republican majority of 217 to 212. Republican leaders indicated the House is expected to take up the bill next week. If approved, the legislation will proceed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
