Legislative Calls to Action -- May 27, 2026
- May 26
- 3 min read
Why did the House suddenly recess without voting on a reconciliation package on May 21st?
ICE/DHS Reconciliation Vote — The Full Story – up to May 22nd
The Background: Why reconciliation?
DHS funding became a flashpoint in Congress after two deadly shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis in January 2026. In response, Democrats pledged to object to any funding for DHS without reforms to its immigration enforcement agencies. The department shut down on February 14 amid the stalemate. CBS News
The House passed and President Trump signed the FY 2026 DHS spending bill on April 30, ending the 76-day shutdown — but that bill excluded ICE and Border Patrol funding. Last FY26 Spending Bill Signed into Law as Appropriators Continue Work on FY27 | National Low Income Housing Coalition
Because compromise between the two parties was off the table, Senate Republicans turned to budget reconciliation, which allows them to fund immigration enforcement agencies without Democratic support. Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, and although most legislation requires 60 votes to move forward, the reconciliation process allows passage with a simple majority. Senate adopts budget resolution after marathon "vote-a-rama" as GOP moves to fund ICE without Democrats - CBS News
What the bill contains:
The full $72 billion package includes $30.73 billion for ICE and $22.57 billion for Customs and Border Protection to hire, train, pay, and equip personnel. The bill also includes about $3.5 billion for other CBP operations through FY 2029, including procurement and implementation of AI and machine learning for mission support. Senate advances reconciliation bill funding immigration agencies through 2029 to floor (The Hill)
The legislative journey:
The House voted 215–211 on April 29 to approve the Senate-passed budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 33), instructing the House and Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees each to approve reconciliation legislation increasing deficits by not more than $70 billion over the 10-year budget window. House approves Senate-passed budget resolution for immigration: PwC
The Senate Budget Committee then voted 11–10 along party lines to report out the bill, after the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee had passed it the previous day. (The Hill)
Why it collapsed before the Memorial Day recess:
Senate Republicans departed Washington for the Memorial Day recess without passing the $72 billion package, after an internal revolt over a Justice Department fund perceived within the party as a vehicle to pay Trump allies. (Foreign Policy Journal)
The trigger was the Justice Department's creation of a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund — a reserve that would compensate individuals claiming they were subjected to politically motivated prosecutions by previous administrations. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) described it as being dropped like "a bomb in the middle of a pretty well planned out reconciliation bill." Trump's "anti-weaponization fund" torpedoes ICE funding deal
Several prominent January 6 rioters have already publicly stated their intention to file claims against the fund, as have other convicted former politicians — deepening Republican unease.
A separate flashpoint involved Trump's proposal to spend public money on a 90,000-square-foot ballroom as a replacement for the White House East Wing. The nonpartisan Senate Parliamentarian ruled that provision could not be included in the reconciliation bill, and Trump responded by demanding Senate Majority Leader Thune fire the parliamentarian — a demand that drew further anxiety from Senate Republicans. (Foreign Policy Journal)
The Senate had been prepared to take up a revised version of the $72 billion bill on Thursday, with the House set to do the same on Friday. But plans fell apart after a meeting between GOP senators and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who had been dispatched to the Hill to convince skeptical members about the DOJ fund. Congress delays votes on ICE funding amid GOP opposition to new DOJ fund - CBS News
What's next:
A bipartisan effort in the House to kill the anti-weaponization fund has emerged, led by Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi and Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
Reconciliation is still expected to be dealt with in some form — the open question is whether the president will reconsider what he's pushing for. The vote is now expected in June, almost certainly missing Trump's stated June 1 deadline. Congress delays vote on Republican-backed ICE funding after GOP infighting : NPR
Contact your Representative and tell them to support Reps Suozzi and Fitzpatrick in killing the anti-weaponization fund.
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