House Panel Advances $70 Billion Immigration Bill
House panel advances 70 billion immigration – The House Rules Committee passed a significant immigration funding bill on Monday night, clearing a major obstacle for its progression. The legislation, which received a 7-4 vote, was debated for over six hours. Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx confirmed the decision, stating, “The motion to report is agreed to.”
Amendments Face Rejection
During the session, Democrats pushed for votes on several amendments that failed to gain traction. These included proposals tied to the “anti-weaponization fund,” such as one aiming to block federal compensation for January 6 rioters. Other amendments focused on the Affordable Care Act tax credits and new training mandates for immigration officers.
“The primary season is a real challenge for having votes, but the Congress has to do its job. And I’ve told all of our members, you’ve got to do both. You’ve got to be present,” Johnson said.
Senate Approval and Legislative Challenges
Senate Republicans had already endorsed the package, dubbed the “Secure America Act,” last Friday. House Speaker Mike Johnson noted that if all members attend and vote, he would only need three GOP defections to secure passage. “We’ll pass it,” Johnson remarked. “I have a very small margin for error, so we’ll get it through, but we have to fund border enforcement and immigration enforcement. Everyone here knows that, so they’re going to have to put their personal preferences aside to get the job done,” he added.
Johnson also addressed concerns about voting turnout on Tuesday, acknowledging the difficulty posed by primary races. “I don’t think so,” he said when asked if the reconciliation votes could be delayed to Wednesday.
Exclusion from Budget Negotiations
Earlier this year, Congress allocated funds to the Department of Homeland Security, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were left out of the budget talks. This omission contributed to the historic partial government shutdown, which ended with the passage of the funding package.
Related MORE: Senate Republicans move forward on ICE funding package, but it faces roadblocks ahead
