Senate Republicans Face June 1 Deadline on Immigration Funding Package

Senate Republicans have 53 days in session before the November midterm elections to address immigration enforcement funding, affordability measures, and voter identification requirements. Senate Republicans plan to resume work on the measure after Memorial Day recess.

The package would allocate $30.73 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, $22.57 billion to Customs and Border Protection, and $2.5 billion in Department of Homeland Security appropriations through 2029. Senate Republicans drafted the legislation after a 76-day DHS funding shutdown that followed shootings involving immigration agents in Minneapolis in January.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that four sections violated the Byrd Rule. The provisions involved funding for Border Patrol, additional Department of Homeland Security appropriations, and screening funds for unaccompanied migrant children.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said colleagues wanted to place conditions on payments from a $1.8 billion fund for people alleging the justice system was weaponized against them. Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy stated the fund would allow payments without legal precedent or accountability.

Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said the fund would compensate people who assaulted Capitol Police officers.

The Senate has not reached the 60-vote threshold required for passage. Republican Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton said he would exit the Senate primary if the legislation passed. He defeated Texas Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff after the bill failed to advance.

Lisa Murkowski and Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis opposed the measure. Republican Maine Sen. Susan Collins became the 50th co-sponsor in February. The bill could receive a tie-breaking vote from Vice President J.D. Vance.

Johnson said Congress plans a third reconciliation package this summer to address affordability and anti-fraud measures. Republicans have not yet enacted the $1.5 trillion in spending cuts promised during earlier negotiations. The House delayed a May 21 vote on a war powers resolution that would restrict military action in Iran.

A version of the resolution has approached passage in the Senate, where most Republicans have worked to defeat it.