U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, said on Apr. 30 that the House passage of a budget resolution could allow up to $140 billion in new spending for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Merkley pointed out that these agencies already have more than $103 billion in unobligated funds from previous legislation.
The issue is significant because it highlights differing priorities between parties regarding federal spending and support for working families. Merkley raised concerns about allocating additional funds to ICE and CBP while Americans face high costs.
"One thing is crystal clear in this Republican-run Congress: The high costs facing hardworking Americans are not as important as throwing billions of dollars at Trump’s rogue police," Merkley said.
He further stated, "While Republicans remain hellbent on passing a bill to give up to $140 billion to ICE and Border Patrol – two agencies that are currently sitting on over $100 billion that Republicans gifted them last year – Democrats are fighting and working to craft policy that actually brings down costs for middle-class families and helps them get ahead."
Merkley also addressed potential legislative maneuvers, saying, "Senate Democrats will vigorously challenge any Republican bill language that tries to slip policy into the reconciliation bill in violation of law. As the lead Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, I look forward to a robust Byrd Bath process and examining every line of the legislation Republicans unveil."
