Sen Lindsey Graham blocks funding bill until immigration votes guaranteed

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham said on Friday, January 30, that he would continue blocking a major government funding package unless Senate leaders agreed to vote on legislation addressing immigration enforcement and legal protections for lawmakers.

In a floor speech, the South Carolina Republican outlined demands tied to sanctuary city policies and the ability to sue over federal investigations.

His stance came as Congress faced a looming shutdown deadline. Lawmakers remained divided over immigration policy and Department of Homeland Security funding.

Lindsey Graham outlines conditions to lift hold on funding bill

Lindsey Graham said that he would not allow the funding deal to move forward unless he was guaranteed votes on two measures: One aimed at cracking down on sanctuary city policies and another expanding the ability to sue over special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation.

“I will not lift my hold on this bill until I get guaranteed a vote on my legislation that would criminalize the conduct going forward,” Graham said on the Senate floor.

He argued that state and local officials in certain jurisdictions were openly defying federal immigration law and contributing to broader systemic problems.

“What conduct am I talking about? State and local officials openly defying federal law that's been on the books for decades, incentivizing more illegal immigration, massive taxpayer ripoff and a breakdown of law and order,” he said. 

Graham added, “To these 12 states: you're screwing it up for the rest of us. You need to change your policies and comply with the law that's been on the books for decades, and this should be a punishment. To me, what you're doing is you're inciting chaos.” 

Graham said that he could not recall previously placing a hold on an appropriations bill but described the move as necessary, citing concerns related to recent immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

“There are things being done on the ICE side that a lot of Americans are uncomfortable with. I get that,” Graham said. “If you want to have more accountability, count me in. But your rhetoric, count me out.”

Graham also criticized House lawmakers for repealing a provision that would have allowed senators whose phone records were seized by the Justice Department during the Biden administration to sue for damages.

“You could have called me about the 500,000 I'd be glad to work with you. You jammed me,” Graham said. “Speaker Johnson, I won't forget this.”

Senate blocks funding package as shutdown deadline approaches

The Senate on Thursday blocked a sweeping six-bill government funding package, increasing the likelihood of a partial federal shutdown if lawmakers failed to reach an agreement by early Saturday. 

The procedural vote failed 55-45, with eight Republicans joining all Democrats in opposing the measure.

The stalled package would have funded more than 75% of discretionary federal spending, including the Departments of Homeland Security, State, Health and Human Services, and Defense.

While the House had already passed the legislation and left Washington, Senate opposition intensified amid disputes over DHS funding and immigration enforcement practices.

The impasse followed heightened scrutiny of federal immigration operations after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen, by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis last weekend.

Democrats said that they would not support advancing the funding bill without additional restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite provisions allocating funding for body cameras, training, and detention oversight.