House Republicans are fuming after the Senate departed for a weeklong recess without advancing a reconciliation bill that would fund federal immigration agencies, intensifying intra-party tensions as a key deadline looms.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) didn't mince words Thursday, telling reporters the upper chamber's inaction was “stupid” and “pathetic.” He joined a growing chorus of House GOP members frustrated that the Senate failed to hold a vote on the $72 million package—which would bankroll Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through 2029—before leaving town.
“We’ve wasted a whole dadgum week,” Burchett said. “I’m disappointed in the Senate, but I’m always disappointed with the Senate.”
The bill was a top priority for President Trump, who set a June 1 deadline for passage using the special budget reconciliation process that sidesteps the Senate filibuster. But GOP senators shelved plans for a vote after internal disputes erupted over two contentious provisions.
The most divisive element was a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund proposed by the Trump administration, intended to compensate individuals who claim the federal government wronged them. Critics, including former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), warned the fund could be used to pay people involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot—including those convicted of assaulting police officers.
“So the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong—Take your pick,” McConnell said after a contentious closed-door meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Another flashpoint was a $1 billion earmark in the bill for Secret Service security upgrades tied to the construction of Trump’s 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the White House—a provision that drew pushback from some Republicans.
The Senate’s decision to punt the vote angered House Republicans, who see the delay as a failure to deliver on the president’s agenda ahead of the November midterms. Burchett, speaking to CNN, called the move “gutless” and expressed deep concern about electoral repercussions.
“I think it’s a gutless move by the Senate. I think they ought to be ashamed of themselves,” Burchett said. “I’m afraid we could lose everything.”
Meanwhile, the House on Thursday voted on a Democratic-led war powers resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s authority for further military action in Iran—a move that underscored the chamber’s focus on foreign policy even as the immigration bill stalled. The House then also recessed, leaving the reconciliation package in limbo.
The standoff highlights deepening rifts within the GOP as lawmakers grapple with Trump’s demands and internal divisions over spending priorities. The Burchett's previous calls for transparency on UFOs and other issues have made him a vocal critic of Senate inefficiency, but this latest clash could have broader implications for the party’s midterm strategy.
With the June 1 deadline now at risk, House Republicans are left wondering whether the Senate can unite behind the president’s immigration funding plan—or whether the impasse will fuel further electoral anxiety. As Burchett put it, “We’ve wasted a whole dadgum week, and I think it’s kind of pathetic.”
