Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is working to pass a party-line immigration enforcement funding bill on Tuesday, which will test party unity given the narrow majority in the House. The proposed legislation, amounting to $70 billion, aims to provide funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which were excluded from a previous Department of Homeland Security funding bill earlier this year.
The Senate approved the measure last Friday, with only one dissenting vote from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) after a lengthy voting process that addressed President Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund. The Senate bill did not include a ban on the Department of Justice’s fund, despite some Republican concerns.
Johnson can afford to lose only two GOP votes if all members are present. In a previous reconciliation bill, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) voted against it. Massie indicated that his support would depend on whether GOP leadership adds provisions to the current legislation or increases the funding amount. Fitzpatrick is seen as unpredictable, having previously diverged from party lines on significant issues, including aid to Ukraine.
Fitzpatrick is expected to introduce a discharge petition with Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY) to prevent taxpayer funds from being used for the anti-weaponization fund. His office has not responded to requests for comment.
Opposition to the anti-weaponization fund has intensified following a DOJ announcement regarding a settlement, leading to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informing House lawmakers that the administration would not proceed with the fund after a court ruling against it.
Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), who has voiced opposition to the fund, plans to support the reconciliation bill, viewing the court ruling as a resolution to the issue. Johnson will need to secure additional support from other party members, as some remain undecided, including Representative Kevin Kiley (I-CA), who expressed disappointment over the lack of bipartisan reforms in immigration enforcement.
Johnson may also face challenges due to potential absences among House Republicans, with several primary elections scheduled for Tuesday night and Representative Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) recovering from health issues that have kept him away from Capitol Hill for over three months.
Democratic votes are unlikely, as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) stated that Democrats will oppose the bill, arguing that taxpayer dollars should be used to improve affordability for Americans rather than providing additional funding to ICE.