A $72 billion funding package for ICE and Border Patrol has been thrown into uncertainty after GOP senators rebelled against President Trump's proposed $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization fund.' The fund, described by lawmakers as a disruptive addition to a carefully planned reconciliation bill, has stalled negotiations and delayed a vote originally expected by the weekend.
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) characterized the fund's introduction as 'a bomb in the middle of a pretty well planned out reconciliation bill,' highlighting the frustrations within the Republican caucus. The impasse follows a heated two-hour meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, after which senators adjourned without taking action.
'Somebody described it as a galactic blunder, and I think that's probably true,' Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) told CNN.
Earlier in the week, the Senate debated $1 billion in security upgrades for the White House ballroom, which was ultimately stripped from the bill. However, the inclusion of the 'anti-weaponization fund' has further complicated negotiations, leaving the funding package for ICE and Border Patrol in limbo.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who recently lost his GOP primary amid Trump's political retribution, expressed skepticism about the fund's necessity, stating, 'I'm not sure the fund should exist.' The Senate has yet to release the final text of the budget bill, raising questions about the timeline for resolving the dispute.