Republicans strip $1B House security from immigration bill

Senate Republicans have removed a provision for up to $1 billion in security funding, including for a proposed White House ballroom, from a major immigration enforcement bill, clearing a procedural hurdle for the legislation. The revised text of the bill was released Wednesday ahead of a key procedural vote.

The decision followed a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that the ballroom security funding did not comply with the strict budgetary rules governing the reconciliation process, which allows legislation to bypass a filibuster. The provision had also drawn political criticism and internal Republican opposition over the use of taxpayer funds for the project.

The broader bill, known as the Secure America Act, allocates approximately $70 billion to fund immigration enforcement agencies and the Department of Homeland Security through 2029. The funding is intended to support staffing, equipment, and operations for Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and related activities.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley stated the legislation ensures DHS funding is no longer held hostage by what he called the radical leftist agenda of...