Senate Democrats Block Republican Amendment on Illegal Immigrant Benefits

On Monday evening, Senate Democrats took steps to counter Republican attempts to remove taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants, which was part of President Donald Trump’s broader legislative agenda.

A Senate vote on an amendment proposed by Texas Senator John Cornyn saw a tally of 56 to 44. This amendment aimed to reduce federal Medicaid funding for states that provide medical care to illegal immigrants who are either charged or convicted of serious crimes. While a few Senate Democrats broke ranks to support the measure, it ultimately fell short of the 60 votes required to proceed, meaning it won’t be part of the president’s comprehensive bill focused on tax and immigration.

Cornyn expressed frustration on Social Media after the failed vote, stating, “Forty-three Democrats have only blocked my amendment to punish states that will give Medicaid benefits to illegal aliens convicted or charged with crimes like murder or sex trafficking.” He criticized Democrats for prioritizing what he sees as the worst in society over the needs of vulnerable American citizens, calling it “disgusting.”

Currently, Cornyn is engaged in a lengthy voting session aimed at refining the final version of the bill before it faces a decisive vote.

Among the four Senate Democrats who supported Cornyn’s amendment were New Hampshire’s Maggie Hassan, Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, and Georgia’s Rafael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Interestingly, despite not having a united front, Ossoff is seen as one of the most at-risk Democrats in the upcoming reelection.

It’s worth noting that Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine, who has expressed skepticism about several Medicaid reforms, sided with the Democrats by voting against Cornyn’s amendment.

Cornyn, seeking a fifth term, is in a contentious reelection battle against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the Republican nomination in 2026. He introduced several amendments following a ruling that Senator Elizabeth McDonough had violated budget settlement rules. Cornyn remarked that he won’t allow “unelected Senate officials” to derail Republican efforts to advance Trump’s policy goals.

Republicans are leveraging the budget adjustment process to bypass Democratic opposition, requiring only a majority vote to clarify the president’s domestic policy initiatives. Any provisions struck from the bill by McDonough will now need 60 votes and require Democratic support to pass.

Democrats in the Senate, led by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, contend that Cornyn’s amendment would unfairly penalize American citizens by cutting federal Medicaid funding, especially for states that offer benefits to illegal immigrants. Merkley emphasized that this could lead to significant reductions in funding for states, which could adversely affect coverage for many residents.

Additionally, Senate Democrats also blocked an amendment from Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn that sought to prohibit state-funded Medicaid benefits for illegal immigrants.

The Senate’s version of the president’s significant bill may be passed as early as Monday, with Trump eager to have it on his desk for signing by the voluntary deadline of July 4th.