Congress departed Washington on Thursday without the Senate voting on a reconciliation bill that would have funded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through 2029, drawing sharp criticism from House Republicans who accused their colleagues in the upper chamber of failing to advance President Trump's priorities.
The $72 million package had faced an end-of-May deadline set by Trump and was being pursued through the filibuster-bypassing reconciliation process. However, GOP senators shelved plans for a vote before Memorial Day weekend amid intraparty disputes over key provisions in the legislation.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told reporters he was frustrated with the Senate's decision to leave town. "I think it's stupid," he said. "I think we should have stayed here. I'm disappointed in the Senate, but I'm always disappointed with the Senate." He added: "We've wasted a whole dadgum week, and I think it's kind of pathetic."
What the Left Is Saying
House Democrats used the Senate's absence to advance their own priorities. The House passed a Democratic-led war powers resolution Thursday aimed at curbing Trump's authority to wage further military action in Iran before members also left Washington for the recess period.
Progressive groups have long argued that Republican internal divisions over immigration and border funding reveal deeper fractures within the GOP coalition. Democrats have pointed to the stalled reconciliation effort as evidence of dysfunction in Republican governance, noting that the party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House yet cannot advance core agenda items.
Some Democratic lawmakers noted that the intra-party dispute centers on provisions they view as problematic, including concerns about funding mechanisms and budget allocations that critics say lack sufficient oversight.
What the Right Is Saying
House Republicans were quick to condemn the Senate's inaction. Burchett called the move "gutless" in comments to CNN, saying senators "ought to be ashamed of themselves." He expressed concern about the upcoming November elections, warning: "I'm afraid we could lose everything."
The central point of contention was a nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund included in the reconciliation package that would compensate individuals who believe the federal government wronged them. Former Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) released a statement criticizing the provision: "So the nation's top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong — Take your pick."
The dispute stemmed from concerns that taxpayer money could go to individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach, including those convicted of violent crimes against police officers. Additional friction arose over a provision allocating $1 billion for Secret Service security upgrades tied to construction of Trump's planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House.
Conservative commentators and some Republican strategists have framed the delay as a temporary setback, arguing that party leaders will ultimately reach agreement before the June 1 deadline. Others within the GOP conference have urged leadership to strip controversial provisions to secure enough votes for passage.
What the Numbers Show
The reconciliation package would have provided $72 million in funding specifically for ICE and Border Patrol operations through fiscal year 2029, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates reviewed by legislative staff.
The proposed anti-weaponization fund totaled approximately $1.8 billion, representing roughly 2.5% of the overall immigration spending package.
Trump had publicly set a June 1 deadline for passage of the legislation, though White House officials have not specified what consequences would follow if the deadline were missed.
Senate Republicans hold 53 seats in the chamber. Reconciliation bills can pass with a simple majority, but Republican leadership needed near-unanimous support from their conference given zero Democratic votes.
The Secret Service provision allocated $1 billion for security upgrades connected to White House renovation projects.
The Bottom Line
Congress left Washington without resolving the immigration funding dispute that has exposed fractures within the Republican Party. The Senate's departure on recess came despite pressure from Trump and House conservatives to act before the June 1 deadline.
Lawmakers will return next week facing a compressed timeline. Republicans must reconcile internal disagreements over controversial provisions, particularly the anti-weaponization fund, if they hope to meet the president's stated deadline.
The episode highlights the challenges of governing with slim majorities in both chambers. With November elections approaching, Republican candidates face pressure to demonstrate legislative accomplishments heading into the midterms. The inability to advance core agenda items — despite controlling government — has become a point of vulnerability for some in the party.
What happens when Congress returns will determine whether Trump can claim a legislative win on immigration or whether the dispute becomes another example of intraparty gridlock blocking the administration's priorities.