The Senate began voting Thursday on a roughly $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the end of President Donald Trump’s term, setting up a marathon session as Republicans push the measure toward passage.
Republican leaders intend to pass the bill without Democratic support, but first must endure a “vote-a-rama,” the open-ended amendment process in which senators from either party can force votes on politically charged proposals. Democrats signaled they would use the opportunity to put Republicans on record on a series of difficult questions.
A central flashpoint is a proposed $1.8 billion Justice Department “anti-weaponization” fund sought by Trump. An amendment by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to bar the department from establishing the fund drew bipartisan blowback, and three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Jon Husted of Ohio and Dan Sullivan of Alaska — joined Democrats in supporting it.
The legislation reflects the administration’s drive to lock in long-term funding for stepped-up immigration enforcement. Supporters say sustained resources are needed to carry out the president’s border and deportation agenda, while opponents argue the spending is excessive and the enforcement approach is too aggressive.
Final passage in the Senate would send the measure toward the House. The timing and outcome of the amendment votes remained uncertain as the chamber worked through the process.
