The US Senate has approved a bill that provides an additional $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement, giving President Donald Trump a major legislative victory.
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The Senate passed the measure in a 52-47 vote early Friday. No Democrats backed the legislation, while one Republican opposed it. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for final consideration.
Republicans argued that the funding will strengthen border security and support immigration enforcement operations. In contrast, Democrats said DHS agencies still have significant unspent resources available.
Funding Supports Immigration Enforcement
If the House approves the legislation, the funding will support the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and deportation efforts over the next three years.
The package will also add to nearly $100 billion in DHS law enforcement funding that Congress approved last year.
Republican leaders do not expect the House to consider the bill until next week.
Senate Rejects Controversial Amendments
Meanwhile, senators spent much of Thursday debating amendments unrelated to immigration policy.
Several Democrats and a small group of Republicans sought to block federal funds and private donations from financing a proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House.
Lawmakers also debated proposals that would prevent federal dollars from supporting an “anti-weaponization” fund. Critics argued that the fund could compensate Trump’s political allies for alleged government mistreatment.
However, senators rejected all proposed amendments.
Divisions Emerge Within Republican Party
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to remove the controversial fund through a procedural motion. Although several Republicans supported the effort, the Senate defeated the motion by a 50-49 vote.
The debate highlighted divisions within the Republican Party. Some lawmakers pushed for amendments that would permanently eliminate the fund before the November midterm elections.
Republican senators Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan supported Schumer’s proposal. All three face competitive re-election campaigns.
After the vote, Schumer criticized Republicans for refusing to abolish the fund permanently. He argued that taxpayers could ultimately bear the cost.
Trump Fund Remains a Political Flashpoint
The White House and the Justice Department have already paused the fund. However, President Donald Trump recently declined to confirm whether his administration had terminated it permanently.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis later introduced an amendment that would redirect the fund’s resources to fraud enforcement programs. The Senate rejected that proposal in an 84-15 vote, although 12 Republicans supported it.
In addition, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy proposed ending the fund altogether. He also joined Democratic Senator Cory Booker in supporting legal efforts to keep a court order blocking the program.
House Vote Expected Next Week
Most of the new funding in the bill will go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. These agencies lead the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy across the United States.
The House of Representatives is expected to review the legislation next week. Until then, lawmakers will likely continue debating immigration funding and related political issues.
