House Republicans advanced a narrow party-line spending bill on Wednesday to fund border enforcement despite many Republicans hoping for broader measures that could boost their chances in the 2026 midterm elections.
The bill passed the House, 215-211, with no Republicans joining almost every single Democrat in opposition, and Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA) voting “present.” GOP leadership held the vote open for over five hours, as they navigated demands from Republican hardliners and farm bill advocates.
Passing the bill kick-starts a monthlong sprint to craft a funding deal providing up to $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its sister agency, Border Patrol. President Donald Trump has said he wants the measure on his desk by June 1.
GOP lawmakers will pass the legislation using a process known as budget reconciliation. The parliamentary procedure allows tax and spending measures to skirt the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold. Given Democratic opposition to funding ICE, budget reconciliation was the only path forward.
House Republicans originally were split on the resolution, as many were hoping for a larger bill. While Johnson has pledged there will be a third reconciliation bill to encompass the midterm priorities, optimism has faded amid slim margins and the approaching November elections.
MARK WAYNE MULLIN WADES INTO HOUSE-SENATE FIGHT OVER DHS FUNDING
Starting work on a reconciliation bill is also likely to unlock sufficient support within the House for ending the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) pledged to pass the Senate deal that would fund all of DHS aside from ICE and CBP once there was movement on reconciliation within the Senate.
The move could not come soon enough, according to Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin. The DHS chief has warned that his department will run out of emergency funding next week, adding another layer of pressure for swift passage of the Senate DHS deal and budget resolution.