US House passes $70 billion bill funding ICE and Border Patrol after ending months-long immigration spending stalemate debate.
- +US House Approves $70 Billion ICE, Border Patrol Funding Package
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has passed a $70bn bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s administration, ending a prolonged political stalemate over immigration enforcement spending.
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has passed a $70bn bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s administration, ending a prolonged political stalemate over immigration enforcement spending.
The measure passed by a narrow 214-212 vote, largely along party lines, and now heads to the White House for presidential approval. One Republican, former party member Kevin Kiley, who now sits as an independent, joined Democrats in opposing the legislation.
The vote follows the Senate’s approval of the same bill last week after extended proceedings. Republicans used a fast-track reconciliation process, allowing them to bypass potential Democratic obstruction.
The funding dispute had previously contributed to a 76-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year, which was only resolved in April through a separate bipartisan funding agreement covering non-enforcement agencies until the end of the fiscal year.
Tensions intensified during negotiations after President Trump pushed for additional spending proposals, including funds for White House security upgrades and an anti-weaponisation programme. The ballroom funding was later removed, while proposed restrictions on the anti-weaponisation fund were defeated, though the administration says the programme will not proceed.
