Senate holds "vote-a-rama" on ICE

Senate Republicans opened a marathon vote series on roughly $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol, defeating a Democratic effort to block a disputed DOJ settlement fund while more amendments loomed.

1. Frame 1Senate Republicans opened a vote-a-rama over a roughly $70 billion federal fund for ICE and Border Patrol, using reconciliation to bypass Democratic votes.
2. Frame 2Democrats first targeted the DOJ anti-weaponization settlement fund, seeking to block $1.776 billion for Trump allies claims.
3. Frame 3The amendment failed 49 to 50, keeping the funding package alive while exposing Republican holdouts on the floor.
4. Frame 4Democrats planned more votes on tax immunity, tariffs, Iran, immigration enforcement, and the White House ballroom project.
5. Frame 5John Thune told reporters he could not predict the outcome as GOP leaders tried to keep enough senators aligned.
6. Frame 6The next test is surviving unlimited amendments so Republicans can pass the ICE funding bill under reconciliation rules.