Senator Lindsey Graham, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said on Apr. 1 that he will work with Republican colleagues to meet President Trump's request for Congress to pass a second reconciliation bill by June 1. The proposed legislation aims to fully fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The announcement follows President Trump's timeline for ensuring ICE and Border Patrol receive necessary funding through the legislative process known as reconciliation. This process allows certain budgetary measures to pass the Senate with a simple majority.
"Mr. President, as Senate Budget Committee Chairman, I will work with my fellow Republican committee members to meet your request to have reconciliation done by June 1, fully funding ICE and Border Patrol," Graham said in his statement.
Graham also addressed the public directly: "To the American people: Help is on the way when it comes to making sure ICE and Border Patrol can do their job without being handcuffed by the desires of the Radical Left. I know that Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson share this goal."
The proposed timeline sets an early summer deadline for Congress to act on immigration enforcement funding priorities identified by both Trump administration officials and congressional Republicans.
Observers will be watching how Congress moves forward in meeting this deadline, as debate over border security remains a prominent issue.
