The Senate approved a $69.5 billion reconciliation package Friday to boost immigration enforcement and border security, overcoming internal Republican disagreements over the controversial Anti-Weaponization Fund and funding tied to a planned White House ballroom project.
The legislation passed in a 52-47 vote and will direct tens of billions of dollars toward immigration enforcement agencies through 2029. The package includes more than $30.7 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $22.6 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and an additional $2.5 billion in appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The vote came days after President Donald Trump’s self-imposed June 1 deadline and followed a series of disputes that threatened to derail the measure.
Senate Republicans crafted the legislation after a 76-day shutdown of DHS that began when Democrats refused to approve additional agency funding following several high-profile shootings involving immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Because the bill moved through the budget reconciliation process, it required only a simple majority rather than the Senate’s standard 60-vote threshold.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the lone GOP senator to oppose the package. No Democrats voted in favor.
Anti-Weaponization Fund Sparks Republican Revolt
One of the most contentious elements of the legislation involved a proposed $1.8 billion Department of Justice Anti-Weaponization” fund.
Several Republicans, including Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Katie Britt of Alabama, expressed concern that the money could ultimately be used to compensate individuals convicted for their roles in January 6.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged those concerns publicly.
“I am not a fan” of the fund, Thune said, arguing that stricter safeguards should have been attached to any such program.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers earlier this week the administration was not moving forward with the fund as originally envisioned.
Democrats attempted to capitalize on the controversy, offering an amendment that would have sent the bill back to committee with instructions permanently prohibiting revival of the fund. The amendment narrowly failed in a 49-50 vote.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Jon Husted of Ohio and Dan Sullivan of Alaska joined Democrats in supporting the amendment. All three face reelection campaigns in 2026.
Tillis separately introduced an amendment that would have redirected the disputed DOJ money toward fraud enforcement efforts. That proposal failed overwhelmingly, 15-84.
White House Ballroom Funding Removed
The legislation also ran into procedural roadblocks from Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, whose rulings significantly reshaped portions of the package.
MacDonough determined that four provisions violated the Byrd Rule, which governs reconciliation bills by requiring that provisions directly affect federal spending or revenue.
Among the provisions struck was $1 billion designated for security enhancements associated with construction of a new White House ballroom.
The ruling further intensified tensions between the Trump administration and the Senate parliamentarian. Trump reportedly urged Senate Republicans to consider replacing MacDonough after several administration priorities were ruled ineligible for inclusion.
Political Divide Remains Sharp
Even some Democratic lawmakers who have occasionally broken with their party remained opposed. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman said ahead of the vote that he planned to side with Democrats.
Strengthening border enforcement and immigration operations remains a top priority for Republicans heading into the final months before the midterms.
With Senate approval secured, the package now moves forward as Republicans continue pursuing additional elements of Trump’s immigration and national security agenda.
READ NEXT: Omar Admits Why DHS Funding Was Blocked
