Senator Discusses Trimming Border Funding
Senator Rand Paul announced on Tuesday that the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which he chairs, will propose significant revisions to the House-passed legislation implementing President Trump’s immigration and border security agenda. The Senate version is expected to be markedly more conservative and will dramatically reduce the proposed budget for border security.
Senator Paul argued that the $150 billion figure approved by the House for border enforcement and immigration initiatives is excessive. He cited recent declines in illegal border crossings following President Trump’s inauguration as evidence that such a large investment is no longer necessary.
— Ascensionex (@ascensionex) June 11, 2025
Paul estimated that the Senate version of the bill would authorize spending closer to $75 billion — “half as much money,” as he told reporters. He emphasized a more fiscally restrained approach, aligning with conservative principles of limited government and budget discipline.
A key component of Paul’s critique involved the cost of constructing the border wall. He referred to data previously available on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, which estimated the cost of wall construction at $6.5 million per mile. At approximately 1,000 miles, Paul calculated that the total cost should be around $6.5 billion, far below the $46.5 billion requested.
Mike isn’t wrong. 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/UKJDzysrDG
— Dr. Interracial 🇺🇸 (@billysandytodd) June 11, 2025
He accused CBP of removing the cost figures from their website rather than addressing what he described as a “math problem.”
Paul confirmed that the text of the revised Homeland Security chapter would be submitted to Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Tuesday. The revised text will replace the House version under the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s jurisdiction.
“If you came here illegally, you get to work.” Rand Paul, January 2025.
“Let’s start that conversation by acknowledging we aren’t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants.” Rand Paul, 2013.
Over a decade of support for open borders and amnesty. https://t.co/82UpAlcAZI
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) June 11, 2025
The senator also used social media to reinforce his position, stating that the Trump administration could secure the border effectively with a $75 billion budget, half of the House’s proposed figure. He declared, “The math backs it up.”
With these changes, the Senate is poised to frame the border security debate around fiscal conservatism, challenging the assumption that higher spending equates to more effective enforcement.