UMVA has learned that the Senate GOP has delayed a crucial reconciliation vote to fund ICE and Border Patrol, a move that has significant implications for the nation's immigration policies.
The decision to delay the vote was made on Thursday, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune candidly admitting that it was, in part, a political hit against President Trump. This development comes as the Senate prepares to go into recess until June, leaving the reconciliation bill unfinished.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the delay was sparked by concerns over the Justice Department's new "anti-weaponization" fund, which has become a point of contention among lawmakers. The fund's inclusion in the reconciliation package has raised eyebrows, with some senators expressing strong objections.
The reconciliation package, which totals $72 billion, aims to fund ICE and Border Patrol, but its progress has been stalled due to disagreements over funding for the Secret Service. Specifically, the package includes $1 billion in security funding for the president's East Wing Modernization Project, which features plans for a massive ballroom.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Senate Republicans are responding to Trump's recent snubs and endorsements, which have created a tense political atmosphere. Thune acknowledged that it's "hard to divorce anything that happens here from what's happening in the political atmosphere around us," hinting that politics is playing a significant role in the delay.
The House of Representatives had previously passed the Senate-approved package to fund the Department of Homeland Security by voice vote, ending the 75-day shutdown. However, with the Senate's delay, it's unclear when the reconciliation bill will be revisited, leaving the future of ICE and Border Patrol funding uncertain.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the delay has sparked a heated debate among lawmakers, with some senators, like McConnell, lashing out at Trump and others over the proposed fund. The senator described the fund as "utterly stupid" and "morally wrong," highlighting the deep divisions within the party.
The situation is expected to unfold further, with the House likely to follow suit and delay its own vote on the reconciliation package. As the Senate returns in June, lawmakers will face mounting pressure to resolve the impasse and secure funding for ICE and Border Patrol.
