The US House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 9, passed a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill, securing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the remainder of President Donald Trump's term.
Secure America Act Passes
The package, known as the Secure America Act, was approved by a narrow margin of 214 to 212 votes. It now heads to the president's desk, where his signature is expected.
This vote concludes a month-long dispute on Capitol Hill regarding funding for immigration enforcement agencies. Earlier this year, after two American citizens were fatally shot by federal agents during Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, Democrats insisted on significant operational reforms before approving funds for ICE and CBP.
Speaker Johnson's Reaction
Speaker Mike Johnson praised the bill's passage, criticizing Democrats for their opposition. In a statement, Johnson said: "With today’s vote, House and Senate Republicans have officially ended the third Democrat government shutdown of this Congress. And here’s the end result of Democrats’ record-setting obstruction: CBP and ICE will now be funded for the remainder of President Trump’s term, and Democrats will have no ability to defund these agencies in the 119th or 120th Congresses."
Senator Graham's Support
Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican chair of the Budget Committee, also commended the House's action. "I applaud my House Republican colleagues for their swift passage of the Secure America Act," he stated. "Despite Democrat efforts to shut down ICE and the Border Patrol, Republicans have now fully funded these agencies through President Trump’s entire second term to the tune of nearly $70 billion."
