Cruz Pushes Separate ICE, CBP Funding, Amid Border Standoff

0:00On March 21st, Senator Ted Cruz from Texas is pushing fellow Republicans to fund immigration and customs enforcement and customs and border protection, separately from the rest of the Department of Homeland Security. This comes as a funding lapse, drags into its third week, causing longer lines at airports and missed paychecks for transportation security, administration officers. Cruz suggests using budget reconciliation to pass the funding with just a simple majority in the Senate, skipping the usual 60-vote hurdle. Republicans points a last year's massive $172 billion infusion for border security, as proof that these agencies can stand alone. Travel disruptions are mounting, with frustrated passengers facing delays nationwide. The standoff highlights deep divides over immigration enforcement priorities within the broader Homeland Security budget fight. Democrats have tried the reverse, seeking to fund agencies like the TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA while leaving out enforcement arms, but those efforts got blocked by Republicans.

1:04Senate Majority Leader John Thune prefers a full-department deal, but hasn't shut down other options. As talks continue, both sides dig in, weighing the pain of delays against their core demands on border policy.