Republicans Advance $70 Billion Multi-Year ICE Funding Plan to End DHS Shutdown, Bypassing Democrats
Congressional Republicans are moving aggressively to lock in billions of dollars in long-term funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), using a partisan budget maneuver to sidestep Democratic demands for stricter oversight of the agencies amid an ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The Senate approved a budget resolution on April 23 by a 50-48 vote, clearing the way for roughly $70 billion in funding for the two agencies over the next three and a half years—through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. The measure, which passed largely along party lines with only two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition, sets the stage for committees to draft detailed legislation that could be passed via budget reconciliation, a process that avoids the Senate filibuster and requires no Democratic votes.
The push comes as the DHS has been partially shuttered since mid-February, after Democrats refused to support full funding without reforms to ICE and CBP operations. Those demands intensified following high-profile incidents earlier this year, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents during enforcement operations.Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who led the effort, hailed the vote as a critical step to secure the border without Democratic interference. “The vast majority of Republicans stuck together to do something Democrats are refusing to do: Fully fund the Border Patrol and ICE for three and a half years through the Trump presidency,” Graham said. “Democrats’ refusal to fund ICE and Border Patrol at a time of growing threats to our nation is one of the most irresponsible decisions I’ve witnessed since I’ve been in the Senate.”
Graham has repeatedly framed the funding as essential for national security. In floor remarks ahead of the vote, he emphasized that the agencies must be fully resourced to enforce immigration law “at a time we’re under serious threat.”
The House is expected to take up the Senate’s budget resolution in the coming days, though some Republicans there have expressed frustration with the narrow scope and are pushing for broader priorities. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has signaled the chamber will modify related legislation to ensure immigration enforcement is addressed alongside other DHS functions.
Democrats, however, have condemned the plan as a blank check for what they call unaccountable and overly aggressive enforcement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been blunt about his party’s stance. “When Americans are crying out for real relief on the skyrocketing cost of living, Republicans are spending another $140 billion on Trump’s private militia, on these two rogue agencies that have no restraint,” he said, vowing to oppose funding without major changes.
Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) echoed the criticism, highlighting misplaced priorities. “Two weeks ago, Trump said we don’t have enough money for Medicare, Medicaid, and childcare. This week, Republicans are proposing billions more for foreign wars and ICE.”
Democrats have argued for guardrails such as improved agent identification, limits on certain tactics, and greater accountability measures to prevent abuses. Without them, they say, additional funding only exacerbates problems rather than solving border security challenges.If the House adopts the resolution, committees will begin drafting the actual spending bill, which President Trump would then sign into law. Republican leaders aim to have the full package on his desk by early June, potentially ending the shutdown that has disrupted thousands of DHS employees and critical homeland security operations.
The standoff underscores the deep partisan divide over immigration enforcement. Republicans view robust ICE and CBP funding as non-negotiable for fulfilling campaign promises on border security, while Democrats see it as an opportunity to demand reforms and prevent what they describe as overreach.
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