Crucial Quote
After the legislation was passed, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, tweeted: “Senate Republicans delivered yet again by approving $69.5 billion to fund Border Patrol and ICE through President Trump’s entire second term. We were forced to use the reconciliation process because Democrats objected – during the appropriations process – to giving any money to Border Patrol and ICE, effectively shutting our border security down at a time of growing threats to the nation. I’m very proud of my Republican colleagues for sticking together and making sure that Border Patrol and ICE are fully funded and the border continues to be modernized and secured – all without one Democrat vote.”
Read more SpaceX IPO: Why Starship Could End Overnight Business Travel
Chief Critic
In a statement issued after the bill’s passage, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said: “Republicans refused to permanently outlaw Trump’s $2 billion slush fund, leaving taxpayers to rely on nothing more than a promise from Donald Trump’s personal fixer. That is not accountability. That is a permission slip. They pumped another $70 billion into Trump’s personal police force, defended Trump’s corrupt ballroom, and protected his slush fund for cop-beaters-all while voting against Senate Democrats’ efforts to lower the cost of housing, health care, gas, and childcare.”
tangent
During the vote-a-rama, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., pushed for an amendment that would have banned the use of federal funds or private donations to build Trump’s White House ballroom without congressional approval. The measure gained support from six GOP senators—Collins, Husted, Tillis, Sullivan, Murkowski and Jerry Moran of Kansas—but didn’t receive the necessary 60 votes needed to pass.
Read more Just How Popular Is ‘60 Minutes’? It’s Beaten Network TV’s Biggest Shows For Decades.