Senate Republicans took a key step Tuesday in advancing legislation that would provide $72 billion in new funding for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.
The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee’s vote moved the partisan measure forward, though disagreements persist over a controversial $1 billion allocation for security improvements to Trump’s White House ballroom project currently being built, along with other Secret Service operations.
Committee Republicans blocked at least eight proposals from Democrats that would have prevented federal dollars from going toward ballroom expenses, with Democrats seeking to redirect those funds toward combating child sex exploitation and extending health insurance purchase subsidies.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations continued as lawmakers worked to secure approval from the Senate parliamentarian for the ballroom spending after it faced obstacles on Saturday.
The discussions included designating at least $220 million specifically for the ballroom’s physical construction. Trump had initially promised this project, which Democrats have labeled a “vanity project,” would be funded entirely through private contributions.
GOP leaders in both chambers aim to pass the comprehensive $72 billion package and get it to Trump’s desk for his signature before the week ends.
In committee proceedings that offered a glimpse of Republican strategy for full Senate consideration, GOP members voted down all 57 amendments proposed by Democrats.
The bulk of the $72 billion would go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations over the next three years, despite Democrats pointing to $103 million in unspent funds from a comprehensive 2025 Republican law that those agencies have yet to use.
Most Democrats are opposing the additional funding without new restrictions on immigration enforcement activities, citing concerns about preventing harm to peaceful demonstrators and unauthorized home searches without proper judicial approval.
