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Thune navigates immigration bill landmines from DOJ lawfare fund

Thune is working to prevent amendments over the Justice Department fund from undermining passage of the bill.

Thune navigates immigration bill landmines from DOJ lawfare fund
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is trying to keep amendments blocking a controversial Justice Department fund from derailing a $70 billion immigration-agency funding bill. Sen. Thom Tillis says he will oppose final passage unless the fund is blocked, raising uncertainty about Republican support.

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John Thune R · SD · SEN
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John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader managing Republican support for the reconciliation bill

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator pressing for an amendment to block the Justice Department fund

Tillis's version of this story ↗
Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Acting attorney general who offered assurances that the Justice Department was ending the fund

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator supporting amendments to block the Justice Department fund

Representative criticizing the Justice Department fund and warning of legal loopholes

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose statements left uncertainty about whether the Justice Department fund would be ended

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Senator supporting amendments to block the Justice Department fund

Shelley Moore Capito
R · WV · SEN

Senator pictured with Thune after a closed-door Republican meeting

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader whose office described Democrats’ plan to challenge Republicans over the fund and other priorities

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator supporting an amendment to ensure the fund is blocked

James Lankford
R · OK · SEN

Senator pictured with Thune after a closed-door Republican meeting

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Representative mentioned as Cassidy’s primary opponent

Josh Hawley
R · MO · SEN

Senator pictured with Thune after a closed-door Republican meeting

ALSO MENTIONED  Stanley Woodward, Associate attorney general whose deleted post suggested the administration was exploring another compensation route

Part of a bigger story

3 OUTLETS
Senate Begins Debate on Immigration Enforcement Funding Bill

The Senate is considering a roughly $70 billion immigration-enforcement funding bill, and Thune is trying to keep it moving toward passage. Center outlets present the bill as moving forward after the administration said it would drop the settlement fund, with amendments potentially testing Republican unity. Right-leaning outlets focus on Thune’s effort to prevent amendments over the Justice Department fund from derailing the bill and the uncertainty over Republican support.

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