Merkley Statement on Republicans’ Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families

Merkley Statement on Republicans' Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans released bill text that will gift the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nearly $70 billion in new spending.

"Now that Republicans have unveiled their bill gifting ICE and Border Patrol nearly $70 billion to continue propping up Trump's rogue police and wreaking havoc across American communities, Senate Democrats are prepared to review this bill line by line and vigorously challenge any provision that violates the Byrd Rule.

"At a time when gas prices are rising every day due to Trump's war of choice with Iran and families continue to struggle to buy groceries, Republicans are ignoring the needs of middle-class America and instead funneling money into Trump's ballroom and throwing billions at two lawless agencies-agencies that are already sitting on over $100 billion in unspent funds.

"Throughout this process, Democrats will continue to show the American people that we are for bringing down costs, making it easier to get ahead, and building an economy where families thrive and billionaires pay their fair share. It is clear that the country has had enough of the Republican 'families lose, billionaires win' agenda," said Ranking Member Jeff Merkley.

Last month, Merkley released an analysis of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) SF-133 reports showing that, as of the end of March, these two agencies are sitting on more than $103 billion in unobligated funding from the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that Republicans enacted last July.

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