Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to members of the media in Washington on April 14, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) led a bicameral press conference on the Senate steps on May 21 to oppose a Republican spending bill they said would direct roughly $72 billion to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol while including “zero” affordability provisions.
The Senate is preparing to move the legislation through reconciliation, which allows passage on a simple majority with no Democratic support needed. The bill’s final text had not been released as of the press conference, with Republican leaders still negotiating internal disputes.