Senate Republicans abruptly left Washington on Thursday without voting on a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill, citing frustration with the White House and disagreements over a new $1.776 billion settlement fund for Trump allies.
Immigration Bill Stalled Amid GOP Frustration
Republicans had already removed $1 billion in security funds for the White House complex and Trump’s ballroom after facing backlash within their own party.
The announcement of the Justice Department’s settlement fund this week further complicated negotiations, as some GOP senators objected to taxpayer dollars potentially going to Trump supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
A tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday only heightened frustrations. Following the discussion, Senate Republican leaders announced the immigration measure would be delayed until after the Memorial Day recess, the week of June 1, which had been a self-imposed deadline set by Trump.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Blanche “had an appreciation for the depth of feeling” among Republican senators, many of whom voiced strong opposition to the settlement. Former GOP leader Mitch McConnell described the fund as “utterly stupid, morally wrong,” questioning why top law enforcement officials would propose payments to individuals who assaulted officers.
Tensions With the White House and Trump
Democrats have criticized Republicans for attempting to fund Trump’s ballroom while voters focus on affordability issues. Some GOP senators have expressed growing frustration with Trump, particularly over his Tuesday endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a primary runoff against Sen. John Cornyn.
Thune acknowledged that tensions with the White House have complicated the bill’s passage, stating that officials should have consulted Congress before announcing the settlement. “It’s hard to divorce anything that happens here from the political atmosphere around us,” he said.
Trump has also called for the firing of Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who determined parts of the White House security proposal did not qualify for the ICE and Border Patrol bill.
While Republican senators have largely supported Trump on other issues, many have resisted his calls to eliminate the filibuster, which requires a 60-vote threshold for most Senate bills. Asked if he was losing control of the Senate, Trump replied, “I really don’t know. I can tell you — I only do what’s right.”
Settlement Fund Sparks Debate
The $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, part of a settlement resolving Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns, became a major sticking point in the bill. Democrats plan to propose amendments to block the fund or prohibit payments to Trump supporters involved in the January 6 attack.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans could avoid the impasse by dropping the fund and the ballroom proposal and focusing on reducing costs for Americans on healthcare, housing, and utilities. Some Republicans, including Sen. Rick Scott, have suggested reasonable limits could be placed on the fund to reach compromise.
White House Security Funding Controversy
The Secret Service had requested about $220 million for security upgrades related to Trump’s ballroom, visitor screening, and training improvements. After Republican pushback, Trump clarified he “doesn’t need money for the ballroom,” though he warned the White House “won’t be a very secure place” without congressional approval.
Sen. Thom Tillis criticized the effort to include security funding for the ballroom, calling it a “bad idea” that distracted from the bill’s core purpose of funding ICE and Border Patrol.
Democrats have blocked funding for the agencies for months in protest of immigration enforcement policies, leaving Republicans to pursue the bill through the reconciliation process, which allows budget measures to pass with a simple majority.
Sen. Mike Rounds said the Senate should focus on funding ICE and Border Patrol, warning that extraneous items make the legislative process more difficult.
