Senate takes first step to fund ICE, Border Patrol in bid to cut Dems out of the funding process

The GOP took its first step in the budget reconciliation process, which is meant to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the next three-and-a-half years. The party-line vote sets up a forthcoming marathon vote on amendments in the upper chamber before the budget blueprint is shipped to the House.

It's a maneuver meant to cut Democrats out of the process, as they refused to fund immigration operations absent stringent reforms during weeks of negotiations to end the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.

While the combined sum of $140 billion is eye-popping, Republicans are eyeing between $70 billion and $80 billion as the final total for immigration enforcement and want to give both committees maximum flexibility as they craft the legislative meat of the package.

Senate Democrats argue that the money could go toward tackling affordability issues in the country, citing healthcare, housing, and soaring gas prices stemming from President Donald Trump's war in Iran as examples.

Turning to the party-line process to fund immigration operations was not the first choice for Republicans, but one made out of necessity given Democrats' blockade of funding for ICE and much of CBP.

Still, some are worried about the precedent that could be set for how Congress is supposed to fund the government.

"We tried to avoid this. But at some point, we recognized that they're just not gonna get to 'yes,'" Thune said. "And that was pretty clear after spending weeks trying to negotiate with them."

Still, Republicans have a long way to go before they advance the budget resolution to the House - and even further before the final product lands on Trump's desk. He's demanded that the GOP produce the package no later than June 1.

Not every Republican in the upper chamber is thrilled with the narrow scope of the plan, with some wanting to front-load several issues into one package out of concern they may not get another shot.

For now, however, they're moving full speed ahead.