House advances $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package

The U.S. House is moving toward a vote on a $70 billion package that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the rest of President Donald Trump's term. The measure follows months of partisan disputes over immigration spending and comes after a partial government shutdown earlier this year. The Senate approved the package on Friday in a 5247 vote, with the House expected to consider final passage as soon as Tuesday. Because it is being handled through budget reconciliation, the bill can pass the Senate with a simple majority rather than the usual 60 votes. Republicans say the funding is needed to support border security operations, while Democrats have opposed the package and offered hundreds of amendments in the House. The debate has also been complicated by other Trumpbacked proposals, including a separate fund and a White House ballroomrelated security plan that drew bipartisan criticism.