Republicans Advance New ‘Slush Fund’ for ICE While Taking Food Aid From Millions

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/45741552

The new GOP legislation will proceed through the budget reconciliation process, which is exempt from the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster, enabling Republicans to fund ICE and CBP without Democratic backing.

Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said in a statement that the GOP’s proposal “does nothing to protect healthcare, help families struggling with groceries, gas prices, and everyday expenses, or make our communities safer.”

“House and Senate Republicans just paved the way to hand ICE and CBP another $70 billion without any reforms or accountability,” said Boyle. “Republicans keep telling working families we cannot afford healthcare or relief from the cost-of-living crisis they continue to make worse, but they never seem to have a problem writing massive checks for these out-of-control agencies. I will keep fighting every step of the way to stop this reckless bill.”

The forthcoming reconciliation package marks the second time Republicans have used the filibuster-proof budget process to ram through their agenda. Last summer, Republicans passed a sprawling budget reconciliation measure that included unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance as well as tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.

The previous legislation also contained $75 billion for ICE—making the agency’s budget larger than that of the militaries of Canada, Australia, Spain, and other nations.