Story perspectives

Senate Restores DHS Non-Enforcement Amid $70B Immigration Bill

4/24/2026

Left

Senate Republicans Approve

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown followed January killings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, sparking tensions.
Senate Republicans approved a $70 billion reconciliation bill funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, passing it 50-48.
Democrats proposed amendments to lower health-care and grocery costs, but none gained sufficient votes.
The Senate passed a bipartisan measure to restore non-enforcement DHS functions while immigration funding stalls.

Right

Senate Republicans Approve

Senate Republicans approved the $70 billion resolution at 3:30 a.m., winning 50-48 after defeating dozens of Democratic amendments.
Budget reconciliation allowed Senate Republicans to pass a $70 billion resolution funding ICE and Border Patrol, bypassing a filibuster.
John Thune, Majority Leader, said measure will keep borders secure and stop Democrats defunding agencies.
Mike Johnson, House Speaker, said House will consider bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol.

Blindspot

Left coverage gave more weight to the DHS shutdown background, linking it to the January killings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti, a detail absent from Right coverage.
Left coverage also noted a bipartisan Senate measure to reopen the rest of DHS operations while immigration-enforcement funding remains pending, which Right coverage did not mention.

History

Historical Context

After the September 11 attacks, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act, signing it in November 2002 and launching the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 with over 240,000 staff. The act merged 22 agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol, under a single cabinet. Today, Senate Republicans are reviving a $70 billion reconciliation bill to fund those same agencies, echoing the 2002 consolidation.

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Senate Republicans Approve

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown followed January killings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, sparking tensions.
Senate Republicans approved a $70 billion reconciliation bill funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, passing it 50-48.
Democrats proposed amendments to lower health-care and grocery costs, but none gained sufficient votes.
The Senate passed a bipartisan measure to restore non-enforcement DHS functions while immigration funding stalls.

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