The U.S. Senate advanced a $72 billion reconciliation bill in a 53-46 vote to fund immigration enforcement agencies (ICE) through the rest of the Trump administration term.
The number is significant as the United States spends more money on ICE than Israel, France and Japan spend on their defense programs.
To get ICE funded, the revised version of the bill drops some items the president wanted after the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed it wouldn't move forward with Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, and after the removal of $1 billion in funding for the White House's new ballroom.
Because the bill only needs a simple majority to pass, Senate Republicans and Democrats are preparing for numerous amendments to be presented and rapidly voted on.
Republicans said they felt reassured by acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche’s promises to scrap the $1.8 billion antiweaponization fund. GOP senators had revolted and left town two weeks ago after the DOJ announced the payouts, which could potentially go to participants in the violent Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and other Trump allies.
Democrats say they want it written into the law, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying, ““It is only a matter of time before Blanche and Trump go back on their word.”
Some Republicans also plan to try and put Blanche’s promise in writing, with Sen. Thom Tillis saying he will offer an amendment to block any attempt at resurrecting the fund.
The legislation was also delayed by the opposition to $1 billion in security funding for the White House, including for Trump’s new ballroom, that was added to the original bill. Both Democrats and Republicans questioned using taxpayer money for the massive project in a time of economic hardship for many voters. E ven as Republican senators have strongly defended Trump’s agenda, a growing number of them have growing frustration with the president as he ignores what they see as their political needs.