Overview
- Senate GOP leaders say a budget resolution expected next week will start a reconciliation bill that funds ICE and Border Patrol for about three years at roughly $70–75 billion using a simple‑majority process.
- Top Senate Republicans, led by John Thune and Lindsey Graham, are pushing a narrow bill, while House conservatives want to broaden it to cover all of DHS or add items like the SAVE Act and defense money, which could slow passage.
- DHS leaders testified that the funding lapse since February 14 has parked aircraft and boats, left contractors unpaid, and delayed training, while ICE is burning through last year’s flexible funds that cannot pay many support roles or some investigations.
- President Trump has urged Republicans to deliver the bill by June 1, and Speaker Mike Johnson is holding a separate DHS measure until the ICE and Border Patrol package advances, putting fresh pressure on the Senate schedule.
- Democrats warn the tactic sets a precedent to bypass the appropriations committees, and Republicans are debating whether to keep defense out now and pursue a later supplemental or a second reconciliation bill.