Senate Agrees to Fund Most of DHS, Sending Bill to House Without ICE Funding
The Senate approved a bill Friday morning that would fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ending a two-month standoff between Republicans and Democrats.
Senate Republicans accepted Democrats’ offer to fund all of DHS, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which includes border protection.
The Senate approved the funding by voice vote and the chamber will recess for two weeks. The House could vote on the bill as soon as Friday.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on Friday called the outcome “unfortunate.”
“The Democrats wanted reforms. We tried to work with them on reforms. They ultimately didn’t get any reforms but, you know, we’ll have to fight some of those battles another day,” he said.
The Senate’s approval of the legislation follows President Donald Trump’s announcement Thursday that he would direct DHS to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, who were working without pay when the shutdown began a month and a half ago.
Democrats have defunded DHS as they seek to impose constraints on federal agents who conduct immigration raids across the country. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have led many Democrats to demand that DHS agents not wear masks, demand court warrants for immigration searches, and more.
“Senate Democrats have been clear: no blank check for lawless ICE and Border Patrol,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Friday.
“Democrats stood firm in their opposition that Donald Trump’s criminal and murderous militia should not get more funding without serious reforms.”
While lawmakers in Congress grapple with how to approach the funding and conduct of ICE and the Border Patrol, both agencies can continue to operate with about $140 billion in funding from the Big Beautiful Bill.
It remains possible that a second Republican reconciliation bill, which could pass the Senate with just 51 votes, would increase funding for immigration enforcement.
Thune said that remains a “good possibility.”
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said, “What comes next is going to amplify evictions. »
