Schumer Criticizes Senate Republicans over ICE and Border Patrol Funding

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed strong disapproval of Senate Republicans following their vote to approve substantial funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bill passed with a vote of 52-47, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska being the sole Republican to join Democrats in opposing it.

In a statement, Schumer remarked, “Tonight, Senate Republicans passed a rotten bill that makes their priorities painfully clear: more money for Donald Trump, more power for Donald Trump, and nothing to lower costs for working families. Republicans refused to permanently outlaw Trump’s $2 billion slush fund, leaving taxpayers to rely on nothing more than a promise from Donald Trump’s personal fixer. That is not accountability. That is a permission slip.”

Schumer further criticized the allocation of $70 billion towards what he described as Trump’s “personal police force,” while Senate Democrats’ proposed measures to reduce housing, healthcare, gas, and childcare costs were rejected.

“The Republican agenda is now written in black and white: a slush fund for Trump, tax dodges for Trump, a ballroom for Trump, and a private militia for Trump. For hard-working Americans? Nothing. Democrats are fighting to put money back in Americans’ pockets. Republicans are fighting to put more power, more money, and more weapons in Donald Trump’s hands,” Schumer stated.

The Justice Department previously announced the establishment of ‘The Anti-Weaponization Fund’ as part of a settlement in a case involving President Donald J. Trump and the Internal Revenue Service. This fund will receive $1.776 billion from a perpetual appropriation to handle claims related to alleged weaponization and legal warfare.

During a congressional hearing, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that the anti-weaponization fund had not been developed yet, with no commissioners appointed or claims made at that time.

Schumer continued his critique of the Republicans, emphasizing their focus on preserving Trump’s “slush fund” rather than aiding working Americans. “Now the whole country can see the truth: Republicans fought like hell to protect Donald Trump and his slush fund but didn’t lift a finger to help working Americans lower their costs,” he declared.

According to Schumer, Democrats attempted to hold Republicans accountable through multiple amendments aimed at addressing issues such as housing and gas prices, and reforming health insurance practices.

“Senate Republicans tried to bury their radical agenda in the dead of night, but Democrats forced them to answer for it—amendment after amendment, vote after vote,” Schumer added. “While families are struggling to get ahead, Senate Republicans just voted to help Trump bleed them dry.”

The legislation still requires approval from the House of Representatives before proceeding to President Donald Trump.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for any comments regarding the bill.