WASHINGTON— Senate Republicans on Tuesday released a budget resolution aimed at unlocking the reconciliation process for a new immigration-enforcement funding bill, a procedural move that would allow the GOP to bypass a Democratic filibuster and advance tens of billions of dollars for ICE and Border Patrol with only a simple majority in the Senate.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham announced the targeted FY26 budget resolution on April 21, with the Senate Budget Committee website posting the release as Republicans framed the measure as a narrowly tailored step to “unlock” legislation to keep the border secure.
Multiple reports said the blueprint is designed to provide roughly $70 billion in funding for ICE and Border Patrol for about the next three years, through the balance of President Trump’s term, though the resolution itself is non-binding and committees would still have to write the actual reconciliation bill.
The move comes as congressional Republicans try to break a months-long stalemate over Department of Homeland Security funding.
CU Trades Respond
Scott Simpson, America's Credit Unions president/CEO, said the credit union industry “appreciates that the Senate's targeted instructions for budget recommendation remained narrowly focused on areas under the jurisdiction of Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees. This is a win for the industry and demonstrative of our strong bipartisan relationships. By remaining disciplined and intentional with our advocacy efforts, the economic and societal value credit unions provide to consumers and communities across the country is clear to Congressional leadership. We remain vigilant to ensure credit unions' tax status is not considered for any pay-fors, now or in future reconciliation processes. Lawmakers know where we stand on this issue, and we look forward to working with Congress on solutions to affordability."
At this stage, the Defense Credit Union Council said it does not see provisions within the budget resolution that are directly detrimental to credit unions or the millions of servicemembers and veterans they serve.
"Importantly, this package is narrowly focused, with reconciliation instructions limited to the Department of Homeland Security and not impacting other agencies or financial regulatory frameworks that directly affect credit unions," stated DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak. "We are especially encouraged to see movement toward ensuring stability and support for the Coast Guard and their families. For far too long, Coast Guard servicemembers have been treated differently than other branches during government funding lapses—forced to serve without pay and left in financial uncertainty simply because they fall under the Department of Homeland Security. That is unacceptable. Any step toward guaranteeing consistent pay and financial stability for Coast Guard personnel is not just good policy—it is a matter of basic fairness and national security."
However, Stverak emphasized DCUC remains vigilant.
"Credit unions have historically been targeted as potential offsets in broader tax and budget debates, and we will continue to closely monitor any developments that could impact their not-for-profit, member-owned structure," he said. "DCUC is particularly focused on ensuring there are no last-minute changes that could undermine the credit union tax status or limit the ability of defense credit unions to serve military families. Defense credit unions remain a critical pillar of financial support for those who serve our nation. DCUC will remain actively engaged throughout the appropriations and legislative process to ensure their mission is protected and strengthened.”