House conservatives are escalating their opposition to a Senate GOP-led deal that would fund portions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and incorporate elements of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) through budget reconciliation. The deal, which aims to end the six-week Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, is facing fierce resistance from House Republicans who argue that Senate leadership is undermining their efforts.
House Freedom Caucus Condemns Senate Plan
The House Freedom Caucus issued a scathing statement on Tuesday, accusing Senate Republicans of 'gaslighting' the American people by pursuing a reconciliation process that allows Democrats to offer unlimited amendments. 'Senate Republicans refused to force a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act because it would have allowed Democrats to offer unlimited amendments. Now, Senate R’s claim they will pass SAVE America Act via reconciliation... which would... allow Democrats to offer unlimited amendments,' the statement read.
This is gaslighting. The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.
Rep. Randy Fine Voices Skepticism
Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), who led a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) vowing to oppose Senate bills until the SAVE Act is passed, expressed doubts about the proposed deal. 'It will not resolve my issue. I mean, look, they can say they'll put it in reconciliation if they want. But I will continue to vote no on all Senate bills until the SAVE America Act is passed,' Fine told Fox News Digital.
ICE Funding Split Sparks Division
The Senate GOP plan would fund most of ICE through a bipartisan compromise while leaving enforcement and removal operations to future budget reconciliation efforts. This approach has drawn skepticism from both House and Senate Republicans, who question whether their slim majorities can unite to pass another complex bill. Conservatives also argue that key provisions of the SAVE Act are unlikely to survive the strict rules governing reconciliation.
As negotiations continue, the divide between House and Senate Republicans highlights the ongoing struggle within the party to balance competing priorities ahead of a critical election year.