Republicans urged to unite behind Trumps budget reconciliation proposal

US President Donald Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to push forward with a budget reconciliation process aimed at funding immigration enforcement. The procedure would allow the Senate to approve legislation with a simple majority, bypassing opposition from the Democratic Party.

Trump’s call comes as a partial government shutdown affects the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees multiple agencies including the Transportation Safety Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The opposition has focused on blocking funding for two agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The Democratic Party has refused to support further spending for these agencies without reforms, following fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal agents in January during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. The proposed reforms include requirements for immigration agents to clearly identify themselves and avoid racial profiling.

In a vote on Tuesday, the Senate approved a motion to start a budget reconciliation process with 52 votes in favor and 46 against. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham described the vote as “a significant step” towards funding ICE and CBP through the process. However, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “partisan sideshow” that would direct money towards immigration enforcement without restraints.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that budget reconciliation was not his preferred approach but stated it was a reality. The procedure has been used by Republican lawmakers in the past to pass legislation without Democratic votes, including Trump’s landmark tax and spending package last year.

Source: Al Jazeera