Senate Republicans have opened a new phase in the fight over homeland security funding, unveiling a plan to secure up to $70 billion for immigration enforcement without relying on Democratic support.
The proposal is part of a broader Republican effort to break the prolonged deadlock over financing the Department of Homeland Security. After months of disagreement, GOP leaders are now seeking a path that would allow the government to resume operations while separately guaranteeing long-term funding for immigration enforcement priorities, including border security and ICE operations.
Their strategy rests on the use of budget reconciliation, a procedural tool that would let Republicans try to advance the package without Democratic votes. On Tuesday, Senate GOP leaders released the text of a budget resolution that marks the opening step in that process, with a Senate vote expected later this week. If it clears that hurdle, House Republicans are expected to move quickly on the measure.
The plan reflects a growing determination among Republicans to lock in immigration-related spending through the rest of President Donald Trump’s term, reducing the need for future negotiations with Democrats at a time when control of Congress could shift after the November elections.
Still, the path forward remains politically delicate. Reconciliation is a demanding process that leaves little room for internal division, meaning Republican leaders will likely need near-unanimous support from their own members in both the Senate and the House.
The timing has also become increasingly important. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that he does not want Congress to approve a partial funding arrangement unless there is confidence that key immigration agencies will not be excluded. His position highlights concerns among House Republicans that core enforcement operations could be left exposed if the broader department is funded first and the most disputed elements are dealt with later.
That approach differs from the earlier position taken in the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune had advanced a narrower funding bill weeks ago, prompting backlash within Republican ranks.
Once the Senate formally brings the budget resolution to the floor, lawmakers are expected to enter a lengthy amendment process known as a vote-a-rama, a session that can stretch through the night as senators debate and vote on a large number of proposals.
The latest move shows that Republicans are no longer waiting for a bipartisan breakthrough on DHS funding. Instead, they are attempting to reshape the debate on their own terms, with immigration enforcement at the center of the fight.
