Senate Adjourns for Day, Delays $70B Immigration Bill

The Senate adjourned for a Memorial Day recess on Thursday without voting on a major immigration enforcement funding bill, as Republican lawmakers struggled with internal disagreements over a proposed White House security package and a new Justice Department settlement fund.

The $70 billion bill, intended to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations through a budget reconciliation process, stalled after a lengthy meeting between Republican senators and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Senators expressed significant concerns about a $1.776 billion settlement fund, announced by the Justice Department this week, designed to compensate individuals who believe they have been politically persecuted. Many Republicans questioned the fund's structure and raised concerns that it could potentially provide payments to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that members had legitimate questions about the fund and wanted to ensure it was appropriately constrained. Following the meeting, Republican leaders announced they would not hold a vote on the immigration package until...