Romance
Feb 26, 2026

GOP Races To Pass ICE, CBP Funding As Priorities Pile Up, Iran War Continues

Republicans are preparing to use budget reconciliation once again to push through key legislative priorities, as Democrats continue to oppose funding for immigration enforcement. The process allows legislation to bypass the Senate filibuster, but it comes with strict rules that could limit what can be included.

The GOP previously used reconciliation to pass President Donald Trump’s major legislative package last year, but the process proved difficult and time-consuming. Lawmakers now face a similar challenge in aligning both chambers on what should be included in a new bill and how expansive it should be, Fox News reported.

Trump backed the strategy again this week, calling on Republicans to act quickly as Congress approaches the end of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. He urged lawmakers to deliver a bill to his desk by June 1 and framed the effort as critical to border security.

“We are going to work as fast and as focused as possible to replenish funding for our Border and ICE agents, and the Radical Left Democrats won’t be able to stop us,” Trump said. His comments come as negotiations continue over how to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection operations.

Republicans are considering using the reconciliation process to address a wide range of issues, including immigration funding, fraud, tax provisions, healthcare, tariffs, agriculture spending, and election-related measures. However, expanding the bill beyond core priorities could complicate passage in the Senate, where procedural limits are strictly enforced.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the legislation must remain focused to move quickly and secure enough support. He warned that adding too many provisions could slow down the process or reduce the chances of success.

“Our theory of the case behind all this was to keep that thing as narrow and focused as possible,” Thune said. “There will probably be some attempts to add things, but it’s probably not a likely magnet for all these other issues.”

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