The Senate is preparing to consider a $72 billion budget package on Thursday that would fund immigration enforcement agencies within the Department of Homeland Security, setting the stage for intense partisan clashes over President Donald Trump's priorities.
Democrats plan to use a marathon voting procedure known as a vote-a-rama to force Republicans into politically difficult positions on issues including Trump's proposed White House ballroom and a recently announced $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said at a press conference on the Senate steps that the debate would put the contrast between the parties on full display. "In the coming debate, the contrast between Democrats and Republicans will be on full display. All of America will see it," Schumer said Thursday.
Republicans are pushing to advance the package through budget reconciliation, which requires only a 50-vote threshold and is limited to spending-related measures. The funding targets Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, agencies that have faced funding shortfalls following a months-long partial government shutdown.
The shutdown stemmed from Democratic refusals to fund the agencies after two civilian deaths during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis in January. Congress passed and Trump signed legislation in April to fund the rest of the agency, but Republicans are now seeking to restore the remaining allocations through reconciliation.
Voting on the package is expected to begin later Thursday, with the vote-a-rama allowing Democrats to introduce amendments that could compel GOP lawmakers to take stands on contentious topics. Final text of the bill had not been released as of Thursday morning.
Internal Republican divisions have surfaced over whether to include taxpayer funds for security upgrades related to Trump's proposed White House ballroom. The Senate parliamentarian ruled last week that a $1 billion Secret Service provision for the project could not be included in the package.
Trump responded angrily on Truth Social, demanding the parliamentarian's firing. By Wednesday, however, opposition within Republican ranks had grown, and Politico reported that the ballroom funding would likely be removed from the reconciliation bill.
Tensions also escalated over the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which was announced as part of Trump's settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was sent to Capitol Hill on Thursday to meet with senators about the fund.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who lost his reelection bid in a Republican primary after Trump backed an opponent, expressed concerns on X. "People are concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas, not about putting together a $1.8 billion fund for the President and his allies to pay whomever they wish with no legal precedent or accountability," Cassidy posted Wednesday.
"This is adding to our national debt. If there needs to be a settlement, the administration should bring it to Congress to decide," Cassidy added.
Both chambers face a tight schedule, with a one-week recess beginning Friday. Trump has set a June 1 deadline for the package to reach his desk. Once the Senate acts, the measure would move to the House for final approval.
Democrats, though in the minority, intend to use the process to criticize Republican support for what they describe as wasteful spending. "Democrats are cracking down on corruption in government. Republicans are actively helping Trump steal from the American people to fund his ballroom and his multi-billion dollar MAGA slush fund," Schumer said.