Senate to Vote on Immigration Funding After Dropping White House Ballroom Security Proposal
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Congress is set to vote on a Republican-backed bill to fund immigration enforcement for the next 3.5 years after removing a controversial $1 billion security proposal for the White House ballroom. The Senate parliamentarian ruled the ballroom funding could not be included in the party-line reconciliation bill. The vote is part of a busy week that also includes scrutiny of a new $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' created by the Justice Department.
Facts First
- Senate GOP leaders will release text for a roughly $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.
- A $1 billion security proposal for the White House ballroom was removed after the Senate parliamentarian ruled it could not stay in the immigration bill.
- The Justice Department created a $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' to compensate individuals who believe they were politically targeted.
- Two police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, filed a lawsuit to block payouts from the fund.
- President Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in a Texas Republican primary runoff.
What Happened
Senate Republican leaders are expected to release a roughly $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the next 3.5 years. The bill will move forward without a $1 billion security proposal for the White House complex and a new presidential ballroom, after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that parts of the proposal could not remain in the bill. The immigration enforcement legislation is separate from a proposed federal fund to pay people claiming political persecution. A final Senate vote on a separate war powers resolution to constrain President Trump's authority regarding Iran is expected to fail unless more Republicans join the effort.
Separately, the Justice Department announced the creation of a $1.776 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' as part of a settlement to resolve President Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding the leak of his tax returns. The fund is intended to compensate allies who believe they were wrongly prosecuted. On Wednesday, two police officers who defended the Capitol during the January 6, 2021, assault filed a lawsuit to block payouts from this settlement fund.
Why this Matters to You
This legislative activity may affect how federal tax dollars are spent. The $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' is drawn from the federal judgment fund, which uses taxpayer money to pay court settlements. The fund's creation without direct congressional approval and its potential to pay individuals, including those convicted for crimes related to the January 6 Capitol riot, has drawn legal and legislative challenges. The removal of the $1 billion ballroom security proposal from the immigration bill means those funds will not be allocated from that specific piece of legislation, though the administration may seek them elsewhere.
What's Next
A Senate vote on the immigration enforcement funding bill could happen as soon as Thursday, initiating a 'vote-a-rama' of amendment votes. Democrats are preparing amendments to impose restrictions on the 'anti-weaponization' money, and Republicans have notified President Trump that the fund will be subject to legislative scrutiny. The lawsuit filed by the police officers to dissolve the fund will proceed in court. Furthermore, the outcome of the Texas Republican primary runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Trump-endorsed Ken Paxton next week could signal the continuing influence of the former president within the party.