The Senate voted 53-46 to advance an immigration enforcement funding bill after the Trump administration abandoned a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund.”
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Senate moved Wednesday toward approving new funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol after the Trump administration dropped a disputed Justice Department fund that had raised bipartisan concerns.
Senators voted 53-46 to begin debate on the reconciliation measure, a procedural step that brings the immigration enforcement package closer to final approval, The Hill reported.
Republicans introduced the bill to fund immigration enforcement without Democratic support after a record-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown ended without Congress approving the money through the normal appropriations process.
The package had been slowed by questions from lawmakers in both parties over a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund.” The Justice Department had announced the fund for victims of alleged political weaponization under the prior administration.
The fund was created as part of a settlement ending President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns by contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty.
Lawmakers raised concerns that the money could be used to benefit Trump allies. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed this week that the administration had abandoned plans for the fund.
With that issue removed, the Senate advanced the immigration enforcement bill, setting up further debate over funding for ICE and Border Patrol as Republicans seek to expand enforcement resources through reconciliation.
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