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Senate Republicans worked through the night to pass a $345 billion budget framework early Friday to further President Trump’s agenda by funding US defense, energy and border security priorities.

The vote lasted around 10 hours — with Democrats submitting more than 20 amendments to gum up the works, all of which were defeated in a series of mostly party-line votes.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) led what he called “a long, drawn-out fight” by introducing several messaging amendments, including ones to block tax cuts for the “ultra-rich” or for wealthy Americans “if a single dollar of Medicaid funding is cut.”


  Senate Majority Leader John Thune walks to the Senate Chambers on Feb. 20, 2025. Getty Images Senate Majority Leader John Thune walks to the Senate Chambers on Feb. 20, 2025. Getty Images

The latter of the two prompted Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska to submit a counter-amendment “strengthening and improving Medicaid for the most vulnerable populations,” which was agreed to.

GOP senators finally got the budget package over the finish line in a 52-48 vote. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the only dissenting Republican who joined with all 47 Democrats.

“What we’re doing today is jumpstarting a process that will allow the Republican Party to meet President Trump’s immigration agenda,” Senate Budget Committee chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said when opening the floor for the so-called “vote-a-rama.”

Senate GOPers leapfrogged their House colleagues by introducing the framework for so-called “budget reconciliation” earlier this week, even as Trump called out Graham for abandoning his preferred “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL” strategy to include trillions of dollars in tax cuts.

Usually only one budget reconciliation bill can pass each fiscal year, which is why House Republicans, with their own narrow majority, have preferred a single-bill strategy with energy, border, defense and tax provisions.

“Thank you to Majority Leader John Thune, and the Republican Senate, for working so hard on funding the Trump Border Agenda,” Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday night, apparently giving his blessing.


  President Donald Trump attends a Republican Governors Association Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC on Feb. 20, 2025. REUTERS President Donald Trump attends a Republican Governors Association Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC on Feb. 20, 2025. REUTERS

“We are setting records, the likes of which have never been seen before, on stopping criminal illegals aliens from entering our Country. Put simply, we are delivering for the American People, far faster and, more successfully, than anyone thought possible. Your work on funding this effort is greatly appreciated!”

Trump border czar Tom Homan had informed congressional Republicans that federal immigration agencies were in dire need of funding to follow through on the president’s promised mass deportations.

The Senate budget bill includes up to $175 billion that Republicans say will bolster border security by hiring more border agents and adding more detention beds for removal operations as well as construction of the US-Mexico border wall.

Additionally, increased funding amounts of $150 billion for the Pentagon and roughly $20 billion for the Coast Guard were outlined.

Though no line items were listed, Graham had previously revealed that the final reconciliation bill will target Biden administration policies that curtailed domestic oil and gas leases and roll back methane emissions fees.


  Venezuelan migrants arrive in Simon Bolivar International Airport in Venezuela. REUTERS Venezuelan migrants arrive in Simon Bolivar International Airport in Venezuela. REUTERS

  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to the press at the Capitol on Feb. 19, 2025. AP Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to the press at the Capitol on Feb. 19, 2025. AP

With its passage, the panels of jurisdiction — including the Senate Homeland, Armed Services and Judiciary Committees — will write full legislation abiding by the budget parameters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other Republicans are hoping to include $2 trillion in spending cuts so that their own package to make Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent won’t add to the deficit.

House lawmakers are bringing up their own budget reconciliation package with those tax provisions, as well as potentially following through on Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips, Social Security and overtime pay.

Democrats have long claimed Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefited only the wealthiest Americans — and extending the legislation would add $4.5 trillion to the deficit alone, making the negotiations over the package tricky with the House Republican conference’s fiscal hawks.


  Senator Lindsey Graham arrives to vote at the US Capitol during the marathon voting session. ALEX WROBLEWSKI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Senator Lindsey Graham arrives to vote at the US Capitol during the marathon voting session. ALEX WROBLEWSKI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Some blue state Republicans are also demanding an increase in the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions.

Under budget reconciliation, the bill can pass by a simple majority vote in both chambers of Congress, meaning the Senate doesn’t have to break a 60-vote filibuster threshold.

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