Senate passes $70 billion immigration enforcement bill to end partial shutdown

The U.S. Senate passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill on a 52-47 party-line vote, ending a partial government shutdown. The bill funds DHS, ICE, and CBP through President Trump's term but does not block a controversial $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which critics call a slush fund. The bill, which now goes to the House, passed after an 18-hour session of failed amendments.

Senate immigration enforcement funding bill

• ▪The U.S. Senate passed a $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, ending a partial government shutdown that began in February
• ▪The bill was passed using the budget reconciliation process, which requires a simple majority vote instead of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster
• ▪The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration
• ▪The legislation provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and Border Patrol through the remainder of President Donald Trump's term
• ▪Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican to vote against the bill
• ▪The bill passed with a 52-47 vote, with no Democratic support
• ▪The funding includes $38.6 billion for ICE, $22.6 billion for the Border Patrol, and $5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security

Anti-weaponization settlement fund controversy

• ▪President Trump later raised doubts about the fund's cancellation, telling reporters it was "very important."
• ▪The fund was created as part of a settlement for President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns
• ▪Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the administration would not proceed with the fund
• ▪The funding bill does not block a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which critics have called a "slush fund" for President Trump's allies
• ▪Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans for relying on "nothing more than a promise from Donald Trump’s personal fixer" regarding the fund

Vote-a-rama amendment marathon

• ▪The final vote took place around 5 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, after an 18-hour session where senators proposed 29 amendments
• ▪A separate amendment to prohibit payments from the fund to Jan. 6 rioters convicted of assaulting law enforcement also failed to get 60 votes, though eight Republicans supported it
• ▪An amendment by Senator Cory Booker to restore funding for the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman was rejected on a party-line vote
• ▪An amendment by Senator Bill Cassidy to redirect settlement funds to law enforcement injured in the January 6 Capitol riot failed to get the required 60 votes

Border agency reform demands

• ▪The passed bill does not restore funding to the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, an independent watchdog for ICE and CBP
• ▪Democrats have vowed not to fund ICE or the Border Patrol unless Republicans agree to new limits on the agencies
• ▪The demand for new limits follows the killing of two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minnesota by officers