US Senate starts debate and voting on ICE funding package

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The Republican-led Senate has voted along party lines to begin debate on a bill that would fund immigration enforcement through the end of President Trump's term. The roughly $70 billion legislation is intended to fund the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security.

The bill was delayed for weeks as Republican senators navigated various obstacles created by the White House and President Trump. To move forward, the Senate forced the Trump administration to drop its settlement fund for political allies and stripped a separate proposal for White House security from the bill.

Republicans are seeking to pass the funding without help from Democrats. The Senate is expected to hold hours of debate before initiating a lengthy vote-a-rama and a marathon vote series.

Additionally, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire that could aid in ending the war in Iran.

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