Senate Republicans unexpectedly declined to proceed with a planned vote on an ICE funding measure on Thursday, citing opposition to additions pushed by President Donald Trump. The move came after objections to a $1.8 billion fund described as for victims of government "weaponization," which would cover people including those convicted during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, and to a separate $1 billion item to build a White House ballroom.
The delay affected a larger spending package meant to provide $72 billion for what the article describes as the president's expanded migrant deportation program. The Senate withdrew from the planned vote and postponed consideration at least until June.
From the outset, Senate Majority Leader John Thune stressed the need for the legislation to be "narrowly targeted" so the $72 billion could be approved with a simple majority. But, the White House additions became the focal point of the dispute. Thune voiced his frustration, saying: "It was something that was supposed to be very narrow, targeted, focused, clean, straightforward, and it got a little bit more complicated this week." He added: "It makes everything way harder than it should be."
The intra-party conflict over the partisan immigration funding bill also unfolded as Republican politics in several states showed strains. The legislative battle came shortly after Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost his primary election to a Trump-backed challenger. In addition, the president publicly endorsed the primary opponent of veteran Republican Senator John Cornyn, a departure from the customary practice in which presidents typically back incumbent members of their own party when they seek re-election.
As a result of the standoff, Senate leaders did not move forward with the vote and set no new date other than indicating it would be at least in June. The disagreement highlights friction within the Republican conference over the scope of the package and the conditions under which a simple-majority process should be used to secure funding for the administration's immigration enforcement priorities.
Summary: Senate Republicans scrapped a planned vote on an ICE funding bill after objections to two Trump-endorsed funding items - a $1.8 billion "weaponization" victims fund and $1 billion for a White House ballroom - stalling a $72 billion deportation funding package until at least June.