Senate Republicans move forward on ICE funding package, but it faces roadblocks ahead

The vote came after the DOJ said it would drop the "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

Senate Republicans plowed ahead on Wednesday with their immigration enforcement budget package that was derailed ahead of the Memorial Day recess over concerns about President Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund.”

Senators voted in a party-line vote to advance the legislation that will provide billions of dollars in funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol, kicking off up to 20 hours of debate before an expected hours-long voting marathon -- called a "vote-a-rama" -- as soon as Wednesday night.

While the package moved forward, there are a number of potential roadblocks that must be navigated.

The breakthrough came after Senate Republican leadership said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s telling a House subcommittee on Tuesday that the administration was “not moving forward with the fund. Period” was enough of a commitment to quell much of the hesitation from wary members.

The administration’s reversal on the fund after a rare revolt from Republicans during a meeting with Blanche two weeks ago. Blanche had been called to Capitol Hill to persuade senators that the $1.776 billion fund established by the Justice Department to compensate those who allege they were wrongly targeted under the Biden administration was nothing to be concerned about.

Inside the meeting, however, Blanche got an earful from Republicans about how the fund had derailed their schedule to fund ICE and CBP as frustrated senators vowed to withhold their vote until the details of the fund -- mainly who could be compensated from it -- were laid out.

Senators were ultimately unable to find a resolution on a path forward, leading Thune to send them home early in order to continue discussions last week during their Memorial Day recess.

Under reconciliation, a measure needs only a simple majority to pass rather than the normal 60 votes, but can be used only for spending and tax bills.

During the Senate’s vote-a-rama process, both parties can offer unlimited amendments and Democrats are expected to put forward a number of politically tricky amendments for Republicans to vote on.

Democrats have made clear that Blanche’s commitments aren’t enough for them and have teased their intentions to bring amendments forward that would permanently kill the anti-weaponization fund or put major restrictions on it, which could see some support from Republicans.

While Blanche seemingly dispelled some doubtful senators the fund was a good idea, there are still a handful of Republicans who are skeptical about th