WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley issued the following press release:

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans voted to pass their Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Resolution that will enable a reconciliation bill to provide up to $140 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

"During an all-night vote-a-rama, Democrats offered amendment after amendment to correct the course of this bill and meet the needs of working families. From amendments that would bring down the cost of groceries, gas, and utility bills to banning hedge funds from buying up single family homes-every single time-Republicans ...