Senate, House Democrats Oppose GOP Spending Bill Over ICE Funding, Affordability Concerns

Schumer, Jeffries, and Democratic lawmakers said the bill funnels billions to immigration enforcement without guardrails while ignoring affordability concerns.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to members of the media in Washington on April 14, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) led a bicameral press conference on the Senate steps on May 21 to oppose a Republican spending bill they said would direct roughly $72 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol while including “zero” affordability provisions.

The Senate is preparing to move the legislation through reconciliation, which allows passage on a simple majority with no Democratic support needed. The bill’s final text had not been released as of the press conference, with Republican leaders still negotiating internal disputes.