Congresswoman McCollum Votes No on Republican's Blank Check for ICE and CBP

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a budget bill (S.2) that provides another blank check for the Trump administration to continue to deploy ICE and Border Patrol agents across America without any oversight or accountabili

Republicans' budget bill increases the deficit by $70 billion to provide $38.5 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $26.0 billion to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and $5.0 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The bill passed by a vote of 214-212. Congresswoman McCollum voted no. Upon passage of the legislation, Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement:

"For months, the Trump administration's Operation Metro Surge subjected our community to racial profiling on a mass scale, assaults on our streets, and kidnappings from homes. Peaceful demonstrators were threatened and detained for exercising their First Amendment rights. Two American citizens - Renee Goode and Alex Pretti - were killed on our streets by federal agents. As we prepare to celebrate America's 250^th birthday, we deserve much better from our federal government. We deserve to have our constitutional rights protected.

"This Republican bill gives another $70 billion in deficit spending to ICE and Border Patrol - on top of the $140 billion from the Republican Big Beautiful Bill just last year. Since President Trump directed the invasion and occupation of our state last winter, he and Congressional Republicans have blocked all efforts to reform ICE and Border Patrol's operations and enforcement tactics. I cannot provide additional funding to ICE and Border Patrol without reforms that require them to follow the same standards as our state's law enforcement.

"Trump and Republicans in Congress refuse to help Americans burdened with the surging costs of fuel, groceries, health care, housing, and utilities, but they have no problem adding billions to the national debt to fuel Trump's cruelty, chaos, and corruption.

"Today, I honored my commitment to Minnesotans by voting NO on Republicans' reckless blank check for the Trump administration to continue its abuses and violations of our constitutional rights.

"In Minnesota, we remain Minnesota Strong, and we will continue to stand up for our rights!"

Click here to view a fact sheet on the bill.