Senator Murray Blasts Republicans’ Plans to Pad ICE’s Budget Without Any Strings Attached—While Doing Nothing to Lower Families’ Costs

***WATCH : Senator Murray's remarks***

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, spoke at a press conference with Senate Democratic leadership on Republicans' efforts to provide at least $70 billion-but as much as $140 billion-in new funding for ICE and CBP without any strings attached or basic reforms.

Senator Murray's remarks, as delivered, are below:

"Well right now, Trump has plunged this country into war all on his own.

"Gas prices have surged, health care premiums have doubled, or tripled or worse-pricing millions out of their coverage. So what are Republicans doing about all that? Nothing.

"Their urgent, top priority this week is shoveling at least $70 billion at ICE and Border Patrol -with zero accountability, zero reforms, and zero strings attached. And I don't just mean no new reforms. In using this process, Republicans will leave out all of our longstanding bipartisan accountability measures.

"So: more money for ICE, less accountability.

"Republican Senators are practically lining up to fork over another blank check for Stephen Miller's deranged mass deportation regime-all paid for by the American taxpayer.

"More money for ICE to violate your civil rights, all while Trump's tariffs drain your wallet and Trump's war jacks up the cost of gas.

"Instead of helping you fill up your car's tank, Republicans are going to help ICE smash car windows.

"Let's be clear about what $70 billion-and zero reform-buys for the American taxpayer: More masked agents bashing in doors without a warrant. More grandmas and veterans hauled off by people who don't even show an ID. More horrifying shootings and more agents lying through their teeth - until the video comes out.

"Now look, I am for law and order, but handing off a blank check to ICE is the exact opposite of law and order.

"And here's the thing: it did not have to be this way.

"Democrats have spent months at the table, pushing Republicans to just do the right thing and pass truly basic reforms. Things like: judicial warrants, or use-of-force standards, or take off the masks, show your ID. Basic stuff that the American people are demanding.

"Republicans and the White House agreed to a handful of reforms themselves-until they decided to abandon negotiations, and rejected doing any reforms.

"So don't let anyone tell you their hands are tied. This is a choice. This is a choice that Republicans are making: it's a choice to ignore skyrocketing costs. It is a choice to rubber-stamp Trump's war. It is a choice to write Stephen Miller another blank check - while working families get stuck with the tab.

"I think it is pretty stunning that GOP Senators are practically telling the American people in no uncertain terms-just a few months before an election-that Republicans don't care about the cost of living.

"They don't care about lowering prices, or making health care more affordable, or building more housing, or expanding access to child care.

"Nope. Republicans just want $70 billion for ICE and good luck to everyone who's paying for Trump's tariffs and his war with Iran.

"Trump started a war. Working families get the bill. And Stephen Miller gets a $70 billion blank check for ICE.

"It makes no sense. It's a racket, plain and simple and I will be voting no."

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