GOP leaders struggle to keep $75B immigration plan narrow

"Senate Majority Leader John Thune laid out the up-to $75 billion price tag for the bill to reporters Tuesday. The bill's topline was in the range of what Republicans had been telegraphing over the past week but could spark pushback from at least one fiscal hawk - Senate Homeland Security Chair Rand Paul - because it's higher than the roughly $50 billion it would cost to fund immigration enforcement at current levels for three years."

"The worry among some senior Republicans is that expanding the scope of the bill will slow down the process and complicate the measure's chances of passing. Instead, they want to simply fund the immigration enforcement agencies not covered under the Senate-passed measure House Republicans are still waiting to clear, two months after funding first lapsed for all of the Department of Homeland Security, which houses the immigration agencies."

"Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said Tuesday the chamber intends to vote. Senate GOP leaders are encouraging Republican senators to offer their ideas as amendments during the chamber's marathon 'vote-a-rama' debate, during which lawmakers are allowed to offer as many germane amendments as they wish."

Senate Republicans are facing frustration regarding a proposed $75 billion immigration enforcement bill, which exceeds the $50 billion cost for current funding levels. Concerns exist that expanding the bill's scope may hinder its passage. Senate leaders emphasize the need to focus on specific immigration enforcement funding rather than broader issues. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham plans to release a budget resolution to outline the final package. GOP leaders encourage senators to propose amendments during the upcoming vote-a-rama debate.

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