The U.S. Senate passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill early Friday after defeating multiple bipartisan efforts to place permanent restrictions on a controversial settlement-related fund linked to President Donald Trump, ending weeks of delays that had threatened the legislation’s future.
The measure passed by a 52-47 vote and would provide funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol through the end of Trump’s term.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, which is expected to consider it next week.
The final vote came shortly before 5 a.m. following an extended series of amendment votes and procedural debates that lasted nearly 18 hours.
Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to advance the legislation without Democratic support.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican to oppose the bill, while Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado missed the vote.
The legislation includes $38.6 billion for ICE, $22.6 billion for the Border Patrol, $5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security and $108.5 million for child exploitation investigations.
It does not include previously discussed funding for a White House ballroom project.
Several amendments sought to permanently block or redirect a settlement-related fund that critics described as an “anti-weaponization” fund.
Lawmakers from both parties proposed measures to restrict payments, including amendments aimed at preventing funds from reaching Jan. 6 defendants convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers. All such efforts failed.
The debate over the fund overshadowed what Republican leaders had hoped would be a straightforward vote focused on immigration enforcement.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued that the issue had effectively been resolved after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the administration was not moving forward with the fund.
Democrats and some Republicans remained skeptical, arguing that the settlement mechanism remains active and could still be used in the future.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the outcome, saying Republicans had declined to permanently prohibit the fund despite bipartisan concerns.
The legislation also ends a prolonged funding impasse affecting ICE and Border Patrol operations.
Democrats had sought policy changes and additional oversight measures for federal immigration authorities following fatal shootings involving federal agents earlier this year.
Negotiations failed to produce an agreement, leaving immigration funding stalled for months before the Senate’s final approval.