U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, announced on April 23 that the Senate has adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 budget resolution. Graham introduced the resolution earlier in the week and described it as a blueprint to enable a targeted reconciliation bill for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The adoption of this budget resolution is significant because it opens a pathway for additional funding aimed at supporting immigration enforcement efforts. According to Graham, "The vast majority of Republicans stuck together to do something Democrats are refusing to do: Fully fund the Border Patrol and ICE for three and a half years through the Trump presidency. As Senate Budget Committee Chairman, I am very proud of my colleagues."
Graham explained that passing this measure allows other committees in the Senate to draft legislation that would allocate $70 billion toward enforcing immigration laws and enhancing border security over several years. "Adopting the budget resolution will allow the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees to write a reconciliation bill that spends $70 billion so we can continue to enforce immigration laws and have the most secure border in modern history," he said.
He also criticized Democratic lawmakers for not supporting funding increases for ICE and Border Patrol during what he described as a period of heightened national threats. "Democrats’ refusal to fund ICE and Border Patrol at a time of growing threats to our nation is one of the most irresponsible decisions I’ve witnessed since I’ve been in the Senate," Graham said.
Looking ahead, Graham stated that Republican members plan to work with President Trump on these issues with an aim toward finalizing related legislation by June 1. "The bottom line is that Republicans in Congress are going to work with President Trump to get the job done by June 1," he said.
