Senate Republicans Pass $70 Billion Immigration Bill, Defeating Curbs on Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9
Senate Republicans Pass $70 Billion Immigration Bill, Defeating Curbs on Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9
Summary
A 52-47 Senate vote sent Republicans’ $70 billion immigration enforcement package to the House after an overnight vote-a-rama, with Lisa Murkowski the only Republican to oppose final passage.
The bill survived because GOP leaders beat back Democratic and bipartisan amendments aimed at blocking or narrowing Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion payout fund, a White House ballroom request and Bill Pulte’s dual role.
The first bid to bar the fund failed 50-49 despite support from Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan, while Bill Cassidy’s narrower Jan. 6-related restriction drew only five Republican backers and fell short of 60 votes.
The fight exposed Republican unease over Trump’s personal agenda, especially fears the fund could benefit Jan. 6 rioters, but most senators ultimately sided with leadership rather than jeopardize the immigration bill.
Republicans used budget reconciliation to bypass Democratic demands for limits on ICE and Border Patrol tactics, turning the measure into an election-year test of party unity and hard-line immigration politics.