Story perspectives

Sen. Kennedy Advocates Government Reopening Without ICE Funding

3/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) supports reopening the government without funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He says Republicans could later pass an ICE budget without Democratic votes.
In a C-SPAN appearance, he argued this would end the shutdown, which harms federal workers.
Kennedy criticized Democrats for opposing ICE funding as constrained by party lines.
He said a reconciliation bill could pass quickly, reopening the government within a week.

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Story summary

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) supports reopening the government without funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He says Republicans could later pass an ICE budget without Democratic votes.
In a C-SPAN appearance, he argued this would end the shutdown, which harms federal workers.
Kennedy criticized Democrats for opposing ICE funding as constrained by party lines.
He said a reconciliation bill could pass quickly, reopening the government within a week.