Senate Republicans secured a key legislative victory in the early hours of Friday morning, passing their preferred budget resolution aimed at addressing several of President Donald Trump’s policy priorities, including border security.

The measure, which funds border security, energy initiatives, and national defense, passed by a vote of 52-48. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote against it, while all Senate Democrats opposed the resolution.

The passage followed nearly 10 hours of debate, during which senators considered and voted on various amendments and points of order. In the end, two Republican-led amendments were adopted.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., emphasized the significance of the resolution, stating earlier in the week, “[T]his particular budget resolution… addresses the president’s priority, top priority, which is securing the border and implementing and putting in place his immigration policies, rebuilding our military, and creating energy dominance for this country.”

Senate Republicans advanced their plan despite expectations that House Republicans would take the lead in passing a budget first.

Thune and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., moved forward even after Trump endorsed the House’s budget approach on Truth Social earlier in the week.

Following the resolution’s passage, Graham released a statement, saying, “As Senate Budget Committee Chairman, I’m incredibly pleased by the discipline shown by my Senate Republican colleagues to ensure that the most transformational border security bill in history can soon become a reality.”

He added, “I hope the House can pass one big bill that meets President Trump’s priorities. But this approach provides money that we needed yesterday to continue the momentum on securing our border, enforcing our immigration laws, and rebuilding our military. Time is of the essence.”

A source told Fox News Digital that Vice President JD Vance supported the Senate’s two-pronged budget strategy.

Trump also appeared to endorse the effort, posting on Truth Social, “Thank you to Majority Leader John Thune, and the Republican Senate, for working so hard on funding the Trump Border Agenda. We are setting records, the likes of which have never been seen before, on stopping criminal illegal aliens from entering our Country. Put simply, we are delivering for the American People, far faster and, more successfully, than anyone thought possible. Your work on funding this effort is greatly appreciated!”

Great Job on Fox yesterday by Senate Majority Leader John Thune in explaining how far Republican Senators have come, in working with Speaker Johnson and the Republican House, on TAX CUTS, THE BORDER, and some of the most important legislation that our Country has ever considered.…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 20, 2025

The Senate’s procedural vote earlier in the week triggered a 50-hour debate period, which ended late Thursday.

This led into a lengthy series of amendment votes, known as “Vote-a-Rama,” where senators had the opportunity to introduce an unlimited number of amendments.

Democrats used the process to force Republicans to take difficult votes, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., issued a sharp rebuke after the resolution’s passage.

“Tonight, one amendment at a time, Democrats exposed Republicans’ true colors here on the Senate floor. For the first time this year, Senate Republicans were forced to go on record and defend their plans to cut taxes for Donald Trump’s billionaire friends. What happened tonight was only the beginning. This debate is going to go on for weeks and maybe months. Democrats will be ready to come back and do this over and over again, because Americans deserve to know the truth,” Schumer said.

Schumer: Democrats exposed Republicans’ true colors here on the Senate floor. For the first time this year, Senate Republicans were forced to go on record and defend their plans to cut taxes for Donald Trump’s billionaire friends. What happened tonight was only the beginning.…

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 21, 2025

He continued, “Again and again and again, Republicans sent a clear and consistent message from the Senate floor: under their agenda, billionaires win, and American families lose. If Republicans continue with this reckless plan to help their billionaire buddies at the expense of American families, Democrats will make sure the American people know the truth at every opportunity.”

The Senate’s budget plan follows a two-step reconciliation process. The first reconciliation bill focuses on Trump’s border security policies, fossil fuel energy initiatives, and defense funding.

A second bill, to be drafted later in the year, would address the extension of Trump-era tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), set to begin expiring at the end of 2025.

Reconciliation allows the Senate to pass budget-related measures with a simple majority of 51 votes instead of the usual 60-vote threshold, enabling the party in power to bypass opposition.

The House, which operates on a simple majority threshold for budget bills, is advancing its own version of the legislation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has dismissed the Senate’s approach, stating that the two-step budget process would be “dead on arrival” in the House.

He remains committed to passing a single bill that includes border security, tax cuts, and other GOP priorities.

While the House has successfully moved its version of the budget through committee, a floor vote has not yet been scheduled.

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