The Senate launched debate Thursday on a budget reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement agencies through the end of Trump's term. After a party-line procedural vote Wednesday, lawmakers prepared for hours of debate followed by a vote-a-rama—a series of rapid-fire amendment votes.
The reconciliation process allows passage with a simple majority, letting Republicans advance the immigration enforcement funding without Democratic support. The vote-a-rama permits senators to propose unlimited amendments voted on in succession, sometimes stretching for hours. Final passage is expected later this week, after which the legislation must be reconciled with any House version before reaching the president.