Senate passes immigration enforcement funding
Senate Republicans approved $70 billion for immigration enforcement in the early hours of Friday morning, overcoming a grueling voting marathon that became a referendum on President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund.
TL;DR
- Senate Republicans approved $70 billion for immigration enforcement.
- The vote followed a lengthy marathon session, including numerous amendment votes.
- A contentious "anti-weaponization" fund, intended for Jan. 6 defendants, was a major point of contention.
- Acting AG Todd Blanche stated the fund would not be revived, leading to its removal from the bill.
- An amendment to block the fund and repurpose it for injured Capitol Police officers failed at a 60-vote threshold, with six Republicans joining Democrats.
- A compromise amendment by Sen. Thom Tillis blocked the "anti-weaponization" fund and redirected money to the DOJ's fraud task force, but failed without Democratic support.
- Several Republicans broke with their party to support amendments blocking funds for a ballroom project and preventing Tina Peters from receiving a payout.
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to vote 'no' on the overall immigration bill.
- The bill now proceeds to the House for consideration.
- An unrelated vote to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act failed due to a protest over surveillance reforms.