On May 4, 2026, two U.S. Senate committees released the first version of a proposed budget reconciliation spending package that mostly includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and would increase the deficit by $72 billion over the following decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Corresponding committees in the U.S. House have until May 15 to release their versions of the reconciliation spending package. President Trump (R) has indicated that he wants Congress to approve the package before June 1.
The Senate committees that released draft legislation are the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Their propose reconciliation spending package includes nearly $72 billion in funding, including $38.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), between $22 and $26 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), $5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, $1.5 billion for the Justice Department, and $1 billion for the Secret Service.
Lawmakers drafted the proposed spending package according to reconciliation directives that the 2026 budget resolution established. The U.S. Senate passed the 2026 budget resolution, also known as S.Con.Res.33, on April 23. The resolution passed 50-48, with no Democrats voting in favor and two Republicans, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), voting against; Sen. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Warner (D-Va.) did not vote. The House voted 215-211 to adopt S.Con.Res.33 on April 29. No Democrats voted in favor of adopting the resolution and no Republicans voted against it. Three representatives, one Democrat and two Republicans, were not present during the vote.
Republicans decided to use the budget reconciliation process to fund ICE and CBP and end the funding lapse for DHS, which did not receive money through the regular appropriations process earlier in the year. The decision to pass appropriations bills without funding for the department was due to disagreements regarding ICE, CBP, and the Trump Administration's immigration policies.
S.Con.Res.33 instructed House and Senate Committees to draft reconciliation bills. The Senate bills released on Monday are the first of two sets of bills that will be released. The reconciliation instructions directed the House Committee on the Judiciary, the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to draft reconciliation bills by May 15. After the House and Senate budget committees combine their respective committee bills into one omnibus bill each, the two chambers will attempt to pass identical legislative packages.
In a press release regarding the House passage of the budget resolution, Chairman of the House Budget Committee Jodey Arrington (R) said, "This will prevent the Democrats from shutting down the government and defunding ICE in the future and provide our agents the resources they need to secure the border, enforce the law, and protect our communities."
Democrats were critical of the resolution. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, said that the resolution "tees up yet another massive increase in spending for ICE and CBP without any reforms that Democrats have been asking for to keep Americans safe." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) also criticized the measure on the Senate floor, saying it offered "$140 billion for ICE and Border Patrol, $0 to lower Americans' costs."
Budget reconciliation process
After the House and Senate pass the same budget resolution, reconciliation directives, also referred to as reconciliation instructions, contained in the budget resolution begin the budget reconciliation process. Budget reconciliation can be used to override the filibuster in the Senate and expedite the approval of a package of legislation in Congress that changes spending, revenues, or the debt limit. Usually, a three-fifths majority (60 votes) is needed in the Senate to bring bills to a vote. Budget reconciliation bills require a simple majority (51 votes) instead of the three-fifths majority in the Senate because of the time limit on debate.
After the resolution passes, committees are responsible for drafting legislation based on the reconciliation directives. The Senate and House budget committees compile proposals from the other committees into budget reconciliation bill packages (one in each chamber). Occasionally, the Senate has skipped the committee process, moving the House bill straight to the floor (e.g., 2021 and 2017).
After the budget committees compile their respective reconciliation packages, the reconciliation bills are debated on the floor of both chambers. After and during debate, amendments can be proposed and points of order seeking removal of provisions can be raised under The Byrd Rule. Click one of the links below for more information on this topic:
To complete the reconciliation process, both chambers need to pass identical reconciliation packages by a simple majority. Debate is limited in the Senate, preventing filibusters. After the budget reconciliation bill passes both chambers, it is sent to the president to be signed or vetoed.