Senate postpones vote on $70 billion budget package

The Senate declined to advance a roughly $70 billion budget package this week after Republican members objected to provisions funding immigration enforcement and a proposed compensation fund. The package was intended to support deportation operations through the end of the current presidential term.

Lawmakers postponed consideration until Congress returns next month, missing the June 1 target date for delivery.

Compensation fund draws opposition The proposed nearly $1.8 billion fund would compensate individuals the administration believes were wrongly prosecuted. Senators questioned the use of public money for payments to people who had either pleaded guilty or been convicted in court.

" The acting attorney general met with senators for several hours but left without an agreement.

House also signals resistance In the House, Republican members joined Democrats in backing a war-powers resolution aimed at limiting military action in Iran. Leadership postponed the vote after it became clear the measure had enough support to pass.

A Republican representative who is retiring at the end of the term said Congress should hold the executive branch accountable. Another member stated that policy differences, not political pressure, drove the pushback.

Primary results add pressure Trump-backed candidates defeated several Republican incumbents in recent primaries. Some lawmakers expressed concern that continued pressure on members could reduce willingness to support administration priorities. A Republican senator noted that the political environment makes it difficult to separate policy disputes from broader tensions within the party.