President Donald Trump`s push to secure a major immigration funding package moved forward in the US Senate on Thursday, although the debate revealed signs of resistance from some members of his own Republican Party.
Senators spent hours voting on a series of amendments to a bill that would provide roughly $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol, through 2029.
The legislation is considered one of the administration`s top priorities and would represent a significant victory for Trump if approved by Congress.
However, discussions surrounding the bill also brought renewed attention to several controversial proposals that have sparked concern among Republican lawmakers in recent weeks.
One of the biggest points of disagreement involved a proposed Justice Department compensation fund designed for individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by government actions. Critics within both parties argued that the measure could become a source of taxpayer-funded payments to politically connected groups.
The issue became so contentious that administration officials indicated the proposal would not move forward. Even so, some Republican senators continued pressing for legal guarantees to ensure the plan is permanently abandoned.
Another controversial proposal linked to funding for a planned White House ballroom was removed from the legislation before Senate debate began.
The project had drawn criticism because of its estimated cost and timing.
While Republican leaders remain confident that the immigration bill has enough support to pass, the debate highlighted growing unease among some party members as they prepare for next year`s midterm elections.
Several Republican senators broke with their party on amendments related to administration priorities, signaling that support for Trump`s broader agenda is not unanimous.
In a separate development, a group of Republicans joined Democrats in backing efforts to advance additional sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine and provide billions of dollars in military financing assistance for Kyiv.
Despite the disagreements, the immigration package remains on track for Senate approval. Republican lawmakers previously voted to open debate on the bill using a budget procedure that allows it to pass without Democratic support if the party maintains enough internal backing.
If approved by the Senate, the legislation is expected to move to the House of Representatives for consideration as early as next week.
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