US Senate approves $70 billion ICE funding, omits ban on Trump's 'anti-weaponization' fund

The US Senate has approved a $70 billion funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, a move seen as a victory for President Donald Trump. The legislation, which passed with a 52-47 vote, directs significant funds towards immigration enforcement and will now proceed to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Notably absent from the bill is any provision to ban a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. This fund, intended to compensate political allies for alleged government mistreatment, was a key point of contention. While Senate Republican Leader John Thune stated the issue was "settled" based on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's testimony, Democrats remain unconvinced, viewing Blanche's word as insufficient.

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I find it very hard to believe that they're going to submit somebody who sat in front of a committee in the House and made definitive statements about this and then somehow all of a sudden turn around and go back on them.

Democrats, alongside some Republicans, attempted to attach amendments to the bill, including measures to prohibit federal funds for a large ballroom project on White House grounds and to eliminate the "anti-weaponization" fund. However, all such amendments failed to pass during a lengthy "vote-a-rama" session. Senator Lisa Murkowski opposed the bill, citing its bypass of the regular appropriations process and the failure to address the controversial fund.

The funding is intended to support Trump's migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years. Republicans have criticized Democrats for allegedly "defunding" immigration agencies, despite substantial unspent funds already allocated to them. The House is not expected to consider the bill until the following week.

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The fund was a "settled issue."