Washington, D.C. – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced an amendment seeking to eliminate a $75 billion increase in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and redirect the money to Medicaid, arguing the funds could prevent roughly 700,000 people from losing health coverage. The proposal came as Democrats debated how far to go in challenging expanded Department of Homeland Security funding under Republican-backed legislation.
The amendment received support from the entire Democratic caucus and two Republicans but failed 49–51. Supporters included Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, both of whom have publicly broken with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement issues. The funding targeted by the amendment was included in the GOP-backed One Big Beautiful Bill and earmarked as a major expansion of ICE operations.
Sanders argued that reallocating the funds to Medicaid would help offset cuts enacted last year, framing the issue as a choice between immigration enforcement and access to health care. He said the vote reflected growing resistance to President Trump’s immigration agenda, even within his own party.
While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted for Sanders’s amendment, he also supported the broader government funding package that included a short-term DHS extension, highlighting divisions within Democratic leadership. Critics said proposed DHS “reforms” fall short without reducing funding levels.
The failed vote nonetheless underscored increasing Democratic pressure to rein in ICE funding as immigration enforcement intensifies ahead of the midterm elections.
Sources:
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U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote – Unrated
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Congress.gov Amendment Text – MBFC Rating
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Bernie Sanders Senate Press Release – Unrated
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