Merkley: Republican Budget Resolution Ignores the Needs of Working Families

Merkley: Republican Budget Resolution Ignores the Needs of Working Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass their Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Resolution that will enable a reconciliation bill to provide up to $140 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

"During an all-night vote-a-rama, Democrats offered amendment after amendment to correct the course of this bill and meet the needs of working families. From amendments that would bring down the cost of groceries, gas, and utility bills to banning hedge funds from buying up single family homes-every single time-Republicans voted to block them.

"Republicans are so hellbent on passing a bill to give up to $140 billion to ICE and Border Patrol- agencies that were already funded at multiple times their former budget last year-that they are ignoring the needs of working Americans.

"This isn't over, and as Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, I will fight this bill every step of the way to ensure we are enacting policies where families can thrive and Trump's lawless agencies are held to account," said Ranking Member Jeff Merkley.

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