The US Senate has approved a $70bn package to fund immigration enforcement through the remainder of Donald Trump's presidency. The bill, which passed 52-47 in the early hours of Friday, provides funding for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security without a single Democratic vote.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican to oppose the legislation, which used budget reconciliation to bypass the Democratic filibuster. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to be considered next week.
The legislation does not block a controversial $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund, which critics have labelled a slush fund for the president's allies. Democrats had tried to attach language blocking the fund, but the amendment was rejected.
Nor does the bill restore funding to the office of the immigration detention ombudsman, an independent watchdog investigating abuses by ICE and Customs and Border Protection. An amendment to restore the office was also voted down along party lines.
Amendments to redirect payments from the anti-weaponisation settlement to officers injured in the January 6 riot failed to reach the 60-vote threshold, despite support from five Republican senators. The bill's passage was delayed by internal Republican disputes over the fund, which Senate Majority Leader John Thune described as a distraction.
