Senate Republicans overcame deep internal divisions to pass a massive $70 billion immigration enforcement package early Friday, delivering a major political win for President Donald Trump after weeks of struggling to finalize the legislation. The bill—now set to move to the House for final passage—funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol operations through the remainder of Trump’s term, shielding these agencies from future government shutdowns.
Critically, Senate Republicans blocked multiple efforts to permanently eliminate President Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” a program designed to compensate individuals claiming victimization by federal actions. Despite intense pressure from Democrats and several Republican holdouts—including Sen. Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his primary after public clashes with Trump—the bill advanced without any provisions to shutter the fund.
The Senate session faced significant delays as GOP leaders negotiated with holdout Republicans who had previously refused to vote against Democratic attempts to attach language killing the fund. All efforts by Sen. Thom Tillis and Cassidy to include restrictions on the anti-weaponization fund failed, ensuring the program remains accessible for potential future claims.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the resolution as closing a “long, drawn-out chapter” in Senate negotiations that began during the longest government shutdown in history. The House is expected to approve the bill without major controversy next week.