In a predawn vote Thursday, the U.S. Senate moved ahead with a Republican-backed budget resolution that would direct about $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol over the next three years. The measure passed 50-48, with two Republicans voting no, and now goes to the House for the next step.
The Senate action keeps alive a plan tied to the broader fight over Department of Homeland Security funding, which has been partially shut down since mid-February. If the House also approves the resolution, congressional committees can begin writing the detailed spending bill that would put the money in place.
Republicans are expected to use the budget reconciliation process for that follow-up legislation. That matters because reconciliation allows certain budget bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority instead of the usual 60 votes.
Democrats had pushed for tighter limits on immigration enforcement operations after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by agents in Minneapolis. Those talks stalled, leaving the funding fight and the policy dispute unresolved.
