Senate to Vote on Immigration Enforcement Funding After Trump Settlement Fund Dropped

The Republican-led Senate is set to begin voting Wednesday on legislation to fund immigration enforcement agencies, following the White House's decision to drop a controversial settlement fund for political allies and the removal of a separate proposal for White House security from the bill. The approximately $70 billion bill, which funds U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, was delayed for weeks as Republican senators navigated obstacles created by President Donald Trump and the White House. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated, "Right now, the goal is to get the base bill across the finish line." Republicans are using budget reconciliation to pass the legislation without Democratic votes, but they must first overcome a series of amendment votes that could pose challenges.

The primary threat comes from expected Democratic proposals on Trump's $1.776 billion settlement fund, which his administration scrapped on Tuesday after fierce Republican pushback. While acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress, "We are not moving forward with the fund, period," Democrats want it written into law.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said, "It is only a matter of time before Blanche and Trump go back on their word." Thune noted that Blanche's comments were "extremely helpful" and believed most GOP senators were satisfied. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., may offer an amendment to block any attempt to resurrect the fund, which was part of a settlement resolving Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns.

The legislation was also delayed by opposition to $1 billion in security funding for the White House, including for Trump's new ballroom, which was added to the original bill. Democrats and some Republicans questioned using taxpayer money for the project during economic hardship.

Republicans emphasize that their top priority is passing the ICE and Border Patrol funding that Democrats have blocked for months in protest of the administration's immigration enforcement crackdown. Success requires GOP unity in both the Senate and the House before the bill can reach Trump.