WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators engaged in an overnight budget session, often referred to as a “vote-a-rama,” a significant yet challenging procedure aimed at advancing a crucial $340 billion funding package that the Trump administration claims is essential for mass deportations and security enhancements, which dominate the Republican agenda.

This might be a critical moment to observe Congress at work, or perhaps not. Overnight Wednesday into Thursday, senators cast numerous votes on various amendments, predominantly introduced by Democrats, aimed at blocking the funding package. The outcome will likely set the stage for Republicans to leverage their majority to pass it along party lines, expected by morning.

“Today’s efforts are intended to jumpstart a process that aligns with President Trump’s immigration priorities,” stated Senate Budget Committee chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as the discussion commenced.

Graham noted that Trump’s top immigration official, Tom Homan, informed senators that current deportation operations are “underfunded” and require additional resources from Congress to continue detaining and deporting immigrants.

With limited leverage as a minority, Democrats are utilizing this overnight session to force Republicans into potentially politically uncomfortable votes, the first of which attempted to prevent tax benefits for the wealthy. This amendment was dismissed on procedural grounds, as were many others.

“We’re in for a protracted battle,” cautioned Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

The package under consideration is seen by Republicans as an initial step towards fulfilling Trump’s agenda, part of a broader initiative that may ultimately encompass around $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and other initiatives. This effort is being organized by House Speaker Mike Johnson as part of a distinct budget proposal, which also seeks up to $2 trillion in healthcare cuts and other program reductions.

Trump has expressed a preference for a comprehensive “big, beautiful bill,” yet the White House is amenable to the Senate’s approach of prioritizing border security initiatives before addressing tax cuts later this year.

As the voting commenced, the president endorsed the effort through a message thanking Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the Republican senators for their commitment to funding the Trump Border Agenda.

Details of the Senate GOP Proposal

The Republican Senate proposal allocates up to $175 billion for border security, which includes funding for mass deportation efforts and the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, as well as a $150 billion increase for the Pentagon and approximately $20 billion for the Coast Guard.

However, even if the Senate moves toward approving this proposal during the overnight session, no funds will be disbursed immediately.

The budget resolution merely provides a framework directing various Senate committees—Homeland Security, Armed Services, and Judiciary—to refine the specifics. These components will later be compiled into another proposal, requiring further voting.

Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the Senate’s second-ranking Republican, highlighted that GOP lawmakers are acting swiftly to secure the requested resources for curbing illegal immigration.

“This budget will enable us to complete the wall and will necessitate an increase in border agents,” Barrasso explained. “It implies more detention facilities and increased deportation flights.”

Republicans assure that the overall costs will be balanced, avoiding additional debt through potential spending cuts and new revenue sources.

Committees are also anticipated to discuss retracting the Biden administration’s methane emissions fee, which was previously endorsed by Democrats as a facet of climate change initiatives under the Inflation Reduction Act, while also aiming to generate new revenue through energy leasing to boost domestic energy production.

Ultimately, the only amendment accepted after several hours of debate was a Republican proposal aimed at mitigating concerns that the package would be funded by cutting social safety net programs. This amendment from Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, asserts that Medicaid and Medicare will be reinforced during the budget discussions.

Democrats Prepare for Combat

The first Democratic action was a vote against tax breaks for billionaires—a recurring amendment throughout the night.

Democrats maintain that the GOP tax cuts enacted in 2017 primarily benefited the wealthiest Americans, and extending them as Trump urges would perpetuate this trend. Despite failing, some amendments garnered bipartisan support, with Senator Susan Collins of Maine endorsing several.

Earlier this week, Schumer activated a strategy to utilize the budget debate as a platform to highlight both the repercussions of tax policies and the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is making widespread cuts across the federal landscape.

This method is more advantageous for Democrats than defending against stricter border security and deportations, issues that tend to divide their party.

By midnight, senators had addressed a minimum of a dozen amendments.

Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted that since 2001, Republican-led tax reductions have significantly contributed to the national debt.

“And you’ll be shocked to learn what our Republican counterparts are focusing on now—unrelated to reducing egg prices—it’s actually more tax cuts for the rich,” Murray remarked. She characterized the budget plan as a “blueprint for severe cuts to essential programs families rely on daily, all in favor of increasing tax breaks for billionaires.”

A Race Within Congress

This budget resolution paves the way for what is known as the reconciliation process, which has become a common method for passing major legislation along party lines when one party controls both the White House and Congress, as is currently the case with Republicans.

Nonetheless, there is internal disagreement among Republicans regarding the approach to take. The House is moving forward with its comprehensive “big, beautiful bill,” believing they have one opportunity to succeed. Conversely, the Senate believes their dual-bill approach is more pragmatic, addressing border security first before tackling taxes later on.

Budget regulations permit passage through a simple majority vote, an essential factor in the Senate where 60 votes are usually required to overcome a filibuster on significant issues. During Trump’s first term, Republicans employed the reconciliation process to pass their tax cuts in 2017. Democrats similarly utilized it during Biden’s administration for COVID-19 relief and passing the Inflation Reduction Act.

Trump seems to be intensifying the conflict, positioning House and Senate Republicans against one another in a race to see who can deliver results faster.

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This report was contributed by Associated Press writer Darlene Superville.