Senate Passes Budget Resolution 50-48, Unlocking Reconciliation Path for Immigration Enforcement Funding

WASHINGTON — The Senate early Thursday morning, April 23, 2026, adopted a Republican budget resolution by a 50-48 vote after an all-night “vote-a-rama,” advancing the first step toward providing roughly $70-80 billion in dedicated funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined all Democrats in opposition. The non-binding resolution instructs the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees to draft reconciliation legislation funding the agencies through the end of President Trump’s term in 2029.

By clearing this procedural hurdle, Republicans have significantly increased the odds of passing the funding package. Budget reconciliation allows the bill to move forward with a simple 51-vote majority (plus Vice President JD Vance as tiebreaker if needed), bypassing the 60-vote filibuster Democrats have used to block traditional appropriations.

The move aims to provide long-term resources for immigration enforcement and help resolve the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that has lasted since mid-February.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) led the effort, describing it as essential to fulfilling border security priorities without Democratic obstruction. The resolution now heads to the House.