Senate Advances Budget Reconciliation in an Effort to Break Shutdown

A months-long federal stalemate may finally be coming to an end. In the early hours of Thursday, April 23, the U.S. Senate passed a Republican-sponsored budget resolution by a vote of 50–48.

This maneuver aims to end a partial government shutdown by bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The inability to pass 2026 Appropriations for the agency has led to a partial shutdown of the federal government, delaying a range of services to millions of Americans.

Republicans are using this process as a fast-track legislative tool because they hold a 53-seat majority, which is insufficient to overcome a Democratic filibuster in the regular appropriations process. By utilizing Budget reconciliation, the final package will only require a simple majority of 51 votes to pass the Senate (or 50 + the Vice President).

The resolution passed by the Senate authorizes a $70 billion package intended to fund ICE and CBP for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s current term—roughly 3.5 years. It does not require any “pay-fors.” 

What Happens Now?

Budget Reconciliation is a multi-step process.  It starts with a budget resolution that gives instructions to congressional committees to write legislation that achieves certain budgetary outcomes. Once the budget resolution passes out of committee, the committees that received instructions get to work.  Legislation reported by the various Committees is then bundled for a vote. Any differences in the House and Senate versions must be reconciled. Senate procedures further require compliance with the Byrd Rule, which can strip out pure policy measures. 

What Is Happening in the House? 

House Republicans are reluctantly moving toward a “skinny first, fat later” reconciliation strategy—even though a significant faction of conservatives would prefer a single, expansive “fat” bill. House leadership is promising a second reconciliation bill (“Reconciliation 3.0”) later in 2026 to address broader Conference priorities.  A “fat” version could include Defense and Iran‑related funding; energy and deregulatory provisions, broader tax policy, larger mandatory spending reductions. The Resolution needs 218 votes to pass the Chamber. 

President Donald Trump has given lawmakers a June 1 deadline to fully fund the government.