Senate Passes $70B Immigration Enforcement Budget

0:00Senate Republicans just pushed through a budget blueprint after a grueling vote, Aarama, that ran from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. It sets aside about $70 billion to keep immigration enforcement agencies funded straight through President Trump's term. This move comes amid a record partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats blocked funding unless big changes hit immigration policy, especially after two U.S. citizens died and federal agent custody earlier this. With no bipartisan deal in sight, Republicans tapped reconciliation to sidestep the 60-vote Senate hurdle. The plan passed 50-48 with GOP senators Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Rand Paul from Kentucky citing with Democrats against it. Two others missed the vote for personal reasons. It directs the judiciary and homeland security committees to craft bills boosting the deficit by up to $70 billion a piece, but the total. Tab lands at $70 billion for three-and-a-half years of agency support.

1:00Now, it heads to the House, where some Republicans want to broaden the package, which could spark changes and force another Senate showdown. Reconciliation is a two-step grind. First, the budget resolution, then committees build the actual legislation into one big bill, complete with marathon, a amendment fight. Trump's laid down a June 1st deadline for the whole thing to pass, so expect more partisan fireworks as both chambers hash it out and aim to lock in. That funding without Democrat buy-in. This has been Anchorage News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story.