The U.S. Senate has passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package after weeks of political wrangling over a controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund linked to President Donald Trump.
The legislation cleared the Senate in a 52-47 vote early Friday morning, providing billions of dollars in funding for federal immigration enforcement agencies through the remainder of Trump’s current term. The measure now heads to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers are expected to take it up next week before it can be sent to the president for his signature.
The funding package allocates $38.6 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $22.6 billion to the U.S. Border Patrol, $5 billion to the Department of Homeland Security, and $108.5 million for child exploitation investigations.
Despite bipartisan concerns, lawmakers ultimately rejected multiple amendments aimed at restricting or eliminating the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. Critics on both sides of the aisle argued that the fund could be used to direct taxpayer money toward political allies, including individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot.
An amendment that would have barred payments from the fund to January 6 defendants convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers received support from eight Republican senators but failed to secure the 60 votes required for adoption.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to oppose the final legislation, while all Democrats voted against the bill. Sen. Michael Bennet did not participate in the vote.
The debate surrounding the anti-weaponization fund nearly derailed the legislation two weeks earlier, forcing Republican leaders to postpone consideration of the package. The controversy intensified after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told Congress that the administration was not moving forward with the fund, while Trump later suggested the option remained under consideration.
Democrats have vowed to continue challenging the fund and are also pressing for reforms to ICE and Border Patrol operations. Party leaders have argued that future funding discussions should include additional oversight and accountability measures for federal immigration agencies.
The legislation’s path through Congress comes amid ongoing national debates over border security, immigration enforcement, government spending, and the extent of executive authority in allocating federal funds.
If approved by the House and signed into law, the bill would provide a significant boost to immigration enforcement operations while leaving unresolved questions about the future use of the controversial anti-weaponization fund.
