The Senate Parliamentarian ruled that several major immigration enforcement funding measures violated reconciliation rules, forcing Republicans to revise portions of a $72 billion homeland security package.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Several major provisions in a Senate Republican reconciliation package intended to fund immigration enforcement operations were struck down Thursday by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, dealing a setback to Republican efforts to fast-track border security funding through the budget process.
NEW: The Senate parliamentarian has ruled against major sections of reconciliation bill funding ICE & CBP, per Budget Dems
Republicans can go back w/ new language
The rulings, per Budget Dems: pic.twitter.com/llOjfQYH1L
— Laura Weiss (@LauraEWeiss16) May 14, 2026
The ruling affects portions of a proposed $72 billion package designed to finance Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol following the recent passage of a separate Department of Homeland Security funding measure.
Last month, the House approved the Senate-backed DHS funding legislation by voice vote, ending a 75-day shutdown. Republican lawmakers then moved to separately fund ICE and Border Patrol operations through the reconciliation process, which allows certain fiscal legislation to bypass the Senate filibuster.
According to lawmakers and reports from Punchbowl News, Senate Republican and Democratic staff met Thursday with MacDonough to review the reconciliation language.
The parliamentarian ultimately ruled that several provisions violated Senate reconciliation rules governing what may be included under the Byrd Rule, which limits non-budgetary measures in reconciliation bills.
Among the provisions reportedly rejected were major Border Patrol funding measures, additional Department of Homeland Security appropriations, and language tied to border security technology and screening initiatives.
A report from Bloomberg Government stated that MacDonough determined multiple sections of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee title failed to comply with the Senate’s strict reconciliation requirements.
“The Senate’s referee decided several provisions in the GOP’s $72 billion spending package would violate Senate rules if they remained in the text, which will likely force Republicans to overhaul the language President Donald Trump wants on his desk by June 1,” Bloomberg Government reported.
The outlet further stated that MacDonough found “three provisions in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s title ran afoul of strict rules in the budget reconciliation process Republicans are using, according to Senate Democrats.”
Republicans are now expected to revise the rejected sections and return to the parliamentarian with amended language in an effort to preserve the broader reconciliation package.
The ruling represents another example of the parliamentarian’s influential role in determining what legislation may advance through reconciliation, a process frequently used by both parties to pass budget-related priorities with a simple majority vote in the Senate.
The parliamentarian serves as the Senate’s nonpartisan procedural adviser and interprets chamber rules during legislative disputes. MacDonough, who was appointed during the Obama administration, has previously issued rulings affecting reconciliation efforts involving immigration, healthcare, and federal spending proposals.
The border security funding package remains a central component of Republican immigration priorities, with lawmakers seeking expanded enforcement resources amid ongoing concerns surrounding illegal immigration and border operations.
An X post circulating after the ruling highlighted the parliamentarian’s rejection of the contested provisions and the expected need for Republicans to rewrite portions of the legislation before moving forward.
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