By Blessing Nweke
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to advance a long-delayed immigration spending bill after Republicans agreed to remove $1 billion earmarked for security upgrades linked to President Donald Trump’s proposed White House ballroom project.
The measure cleared a procedural hurdle in a 53-45 vote, allowing senators to begin debate and consider amendments before a final vote. The legislation provides roughly $72 billion in funding for immigration-related agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol.
The removed funding had been requested for U.S. Secret Service security enhancements associated with the planned ballroom, which Trump has said is needed to host official state functions and improve security facilities at the White House. The proposal followed an April shooting incident at a gala attended by the president at a hotel. Trump had repeatedly maintained that construction of the ballroom would be financed through private donations.
Democrats opposed including the security funding in the immigration package, arguing it was unrelated to border enforcement. The Senate parliamentarian, who interprets chamber rules, agreed that the provision should not remain in the bill.
The legislation had already faced months of delays, partly because of concerns over a separate Justice Department proposal to create a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponisation fund” intended to compensate individuals allegedly harmed by government overreach.
Critics argued the fund could benefit Trump allies, including participants in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers this week that the department was abandoning the proposal, although he declined to provide written confirmation.
Trump later suggested the idea could still be reconsidered. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Thom Tillis said he plans to introduce legislation barring the creation of such a fund, with Democrats also pledging efforts to block it.
If the immigration bill passes the Senate, it will move to the House of Representatives before reaching Trump’s desk for signature.
Original article
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