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June 4, 2026 / 9:28 AM EDT
/ CBS News
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Washington — The Senate is set to begin what's expected to be a marathon vote series on Thursday as Republicans seek to fund immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security without help from Democrats.After a series of fits and starts over President Trump's White House ballroom and the Justice Department's "anti-weaponization" fund, the chamber is moving ahead with the reconciliation process, beginning with what's known as a "vote-a-rama" on Thursday morning. During the vote-a-rama, senators can offer an unlimited number of amendments and require the chamber to cast vote after vote.Democrats — and some Republicans — are expected to force a number of votes aimed at restricting the DOJ fund, which aimed to provide taxpayer-funded payouts to individuals who alleged the federal government had been "weaponized" against them. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified before a House committee earlier this week that "we are not moving forward with the fund." But his refusal to put anything in writing, and the president's continued praise for the plan, have made some senators skeptical.The announcement of the fund last month threatened to derail the funding for DHS' immigration enforcement agencies. Senate Republicans have been seeking to fund the agencies for months, but faced opposition from Democrats after two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. And after negotiations over possible reforms to the agencies fell apart, Senate Republicans opted to pursue the funding on their own through budget reconciliation.The process allows Republicans to bypass the 60-vote threshold needed to advance most legislation and move forward with a simple majority of members.As Republicans were poised to begin the marathon vote series last month, the administration's announcement of the fund put GOP senators in a difficult position, with Democrats eager to force them to take vote after vote on the controversial payouts. Republican leaders ultimately scrapped plans to begin voting, and the chamber recessed without making progress. But upon their return this week, Republicans quickly worked to gain assurances from the administration, and appeared more confident in their path forward.Even with the assurances from the administration, Democrats will take the opportunity to hammer Republicans over the fund Thursday. But the amendments set to be brought by Republicans will be the most noteworthy.
