Senate Republicans unveil budget resolution, kickstarting reconciliation process to fund ICE

Key Points:

• Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, introduced a 58-page budget resolution to fund immigration enforcement agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without Democratic support, aiming to secure funding for Border Patrol and ICE amid national security concerns.
• The resolution authorizes committees to draft legislation increasing spending by up to $70 billion, intended to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Protection for 3.5 years, covering the remainder of the Trump presidency.
• Republicans plan to use the budget reconciliation process to pass the funding without Democratic votes, following failed negotiations with Democrats who oppose ICE and CBP funding due to calls for reform after deadly shootings by federal agents.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed regret that bipartisan appropriations were not possible but emphasized the urgency to fund DHS agencies by the June 1 deadline, with hopes that House Republicans will follow the Senate's lead after the reconciliation bill advances.
• Some House Republicans have resisted moving forward with DHS funding until reconciliation is complete, and additional priorities may be added to the reconciliation package, potentially complicating swift passage.