The Senate moved in the early hours of Thursday to push forward a high-stakes funding plan, approving a $70 billion budget resolution aimed at keeping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol operational through the remainder of President Trump’s term. The vote, which passed 50–48, came after a prolonged standoff that has left parts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in limbo for weeks.
The margin tells the story. Nearly every Republican backed the measure, with the exceptions of Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul, who joined Democrats in opposition. Two senators—Chuck Grassley and Mark Warner—did not cast votes. The timing of the final approval, around 3:30 a.m., underscored just how drawn out and contentious the process has become.
At the center of the conflict is DHS funding, which has been partially frozen since mid-February. Democrats have tied their support to demands for policy changes following a January incident in Minneapolis, where federal agents fatally shot two protesters.
Those demands include stricter operational guidelines for immigration enforcement, such as requiring agents to display identification and increasing reliance on judicial warrants.
Republicans have taken a different route. By using the budget reconciliation process, they can advance funding for ICE and Border Patrol without Democratic votes, sidestepping the gridlock that has stalled broader negotiations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune framed the move as part of a longer strategy, noting that additional steps remain before any funding package reaches the president’s desk.
The legislative path ahead is anything but straightforward. The resolution now heads to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled he will prioritize funding for ICE and Border Patrol before taking up a broader DHS package previously passed by the Senate. That sequencing adds another layer of uncertainty, particularly as House Republicans weigh whether to attach additional provisions.
Some within the GOP see this as a final opportunity to advance key priorities before the political landscape shifts with the upcoming midterms. Proposals to include funding for farmers and elements of the SAVE America Act briefly threatened to derail the vote. Sen. John Kennedy delayed proceedings late Wednesday over those omissions before ultimately allowing the process to continue.
Democrats, meanwhile, have criticized the scale and focus of the funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued that resources should be directed toward lowering healthcare costs rather than expanding immigration enforcement budgets. Despite those objections, a series of Democratic-backed amendments failed to gain traction during the overnight voting session.
For now, DHS continues operating under temporary measures, with the Trump administration using executive authority to maintain some payroll functions. How long that can continue remains unclear, adding urgency to an already complex legislative effort.
