by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Senate Republicans took a decisive step early Thursday to restore critical border enforcement operations, advancing a budget plan to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection despite unified Democrat opposition.
The move comes after the Department of Homeland Security has remained partially shut down since February, as Democrats have pushed for policy restrictions following controversial enforcement incidents. Republican leaders, however, argue that withholding funding from frontline agencies only weakens national security at a time of heightened concern over illegal immigration.
“This is about ensuring America’s borders are secure,” said John Thune, emphasizing that Republicans are using the budget reconciliation process to bypass partisan gridlock and deliver funding with a simple majority vote.
The proposed $70 billion package would fund ICE and Border Patrol through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to strong immigration enforcement. GOP lawmakers have framed the effort as a necessary stand against attempts to “defund” or weaken border agencies.
Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have instead pushed for amendments focused on domestic spending priorities and new restrictions on federal agents. Republicans counter that such proposals ignore the urgent need to restore order at the border and protect American communities.
The legislation now heads to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has made clear that any broader Homeland Security funding must include full support for immigration enforcement agencies.
While debates continue over additional provisions—including election integrity measures like the SAVE America Act—Republicans are signaling that securing the border remains their top priority as the legislative process moves forward.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
More Worthy News
Israel expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah on Monday, striking more than 70 targets across Lebanon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase pressure on the Iranian-backed terror group following a sharp rise in drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel.
A federal appeals court is weighing whether Kansas City can use its public accommodation ordinance to require Christian counselors to counsel gay married couples despite the counselors’ biblical convictions on marriage and sexuality.
Tens of thousands of evangelical Christians gathered in the Netherlands for one of Europe’s largest multi-day Christian events, with organizers and participants expressing hopes for spiritual revival in the nation and across Europe.
President Donald Trump pushed back Monday against sharp criticism from Republicans and former administration officials over a potential U.S.-Iran agreement, insisting that any final accord must prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or it will not be signed.
President Donald Trump said Monday that countries involved in negotiations over Iran should be required to join the Abraham Accords, signaling that the White House is seeking to turn a possible Iran agreement into a wider regional realignment that includes normalization with Israel.
Tensions remained high in Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Sunday after at least tens of thousands of people demanded elections and rallied against what they view as the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Aleksandar Vučić, with violence erupting after the protest and more than 20 people arrested.
Investigations were ongoing Sunday into the killing of three senior Kuki-Thadou Christian church leaders by unidentified gunmen in India’s northeastern Manipur State, Christian investigators told Worthy News.