Senate Republicans begin debate on budget plan for $70 billion boost to immigration enforcement
By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times - Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Senate Republicans claim Democrats are obstructing funding for immigration enforcement.
GOP leaders want to keep the focus on funding ICE and CBP.
Democrats criticize the GOP's funding approach as unnecessary and misallocated.
Senate Republicans voted Tuesday to begin debate on a budget blueprint that will allow them to craft a filibuster-proof bill to spend another $70 billion on immigration enforcement through the remainder of President Trump’s term.
The 52-46 procedural vote kicked off up to 50 hours of debate on the budget resolution, followed by a “vote-a-rama” of unlimited amendments before a vote on final adoption of the blueprint.
The House will also need to approve the budget to unlock the filibuster-proof reconciliation process Republicans are using to override Democrats’ blockade of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection funding in the annual appropriations process.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/21/senate-republicans-begin-debate-budget-plan-70-billion-boost/