GOP’s filibuster-proof bill to fund ICE expected in Senate early next week

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is forging ahead with a reconciliation bill to fund federal immigration enforcement operations and planning a vote for next week.

The filibuster-proof legislation would only pay for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for the remainder of President Trump’s term, denying Democrats a reason to shut down the rest of the Department of Homeland Security.

A bill to fund the rest of DHS, which has been in a partial shutdown since Feb. 14.

Mr. Thune, South Dakota Republican, said the skinny package didn’t satisfy everyone in his conference.

“We have members who want other things,” he told reporters at the Capitol. “But obviously, we have a specific mission and purpose here, and that is to ensure that these important agencies of our government that have vital functions when it comes to our homeland and national security are funded.”

“That is a narrow and specific purpose. And my hope would be that if we can execute on getting that done here in the Senate, the House will be able to follow through,” he said.

Mr. Thune blamed Democrats who blocked DHS funds because they objected to Mr. Trump’s mass deportation agenda and wanted to impose restrictions on federal immigration agents.

“It is shameful what the Democrats have done to the Department of Homeland Security. They have now twice in this last year forced people within the department to go without pay for extended periods of time,” Mr. Thune said.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said that House Republicans could “fix” the shutdown immediately by approving the Senate-passed bill that funds all of DHS except immigration enforcement.

“Republicans could fix it today. Democrats passed bipartisan funding twice for the parts of DHS that protect Americans every day,” Mr. Schumer told reporters Tuesday at the Capitol.

“Why did Republicans block it? Because Donald Trump and Stephen Miller told them to, instead of reopening DHS and delivering for the American people, Republicans are dragging the Senate through a partisan circus just to avoid basic accountability for ICE and border patrol.”

Mr. Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republian, huddled Monday at the Capitol to figure out the best way to end the shutdown.

They have had a difficult time wrangling support from their conference for such a narrowly focused package.

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida insisted Monday on spending cuts to offset new enforcement funding, and Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana wants parts of the voter ID bill known as the SAVE America Act inserted into the legislation.

On the House side, GOP lawmakers have ideas of their own for the reconciliation bill, which only needs a simple majority to pass the Senate.

Rep. Chip Roy, Texas Republican, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said Mr. Thune “isn’t the only voice” on the reconciliation issue.

“We should move other priorities with ALL of DHS,” he said on social media. “We’re running out of time to deliver and to clean up these repeated swamp messes.”