Senate Republicans Pass Funding Bill Amid Criticism

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Senate Republicans after most approved a bill for extensive funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This measure passed with a 52-47 vote, largely along party lines, except for one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who joined Democrats in opposing it.

In a statement, Schumer said, “Tonight, Senate Republicans passed a rotten bill that makes their priorities painfully clear: more money for Donald Trump, more power for Donald Trump, and nothing to lower costs for working families. Republicans refused to permanently outlaw Trump’s $2 billion slush fund, leaving taxpayers to rely on nothing more than a promise from Donald Trump’s personal fixer. That is not accountability. That is a permission slip.”

The funding package approved an additional $70 billion allocated to Trump’s policies, prompting Schumer to continue his criticism by stating, “They pumped another $70 billion into Trump’s personal police force, defended Trump’s corrupt ballroom, and protected his slush fund for cop-beaters—all while voting against Senate Democrats’ efforts to lower the cost of housing, health care, gas, and childcare.” He further added, “The Republican agenda is now written in black and white: a slush fund for Trump, tax dodges for Trump, a ballroom for Trump, and a private militia for Trump. For hard-working Americans? Nothing. Democrats are fighting to put money back in Americans’ pockets. Republicans are fighting to put more power, more money, and more weapons in Donald Trump’s hands.”

The Justice Department also made a statement last month, noting, “As a part of the settlement agreement in President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service, the Attorney General established ‘The Anti-Weaponization Fund’ to provide a systematic process to hear and redress claims of others who suffered weaponization and lawfare.” According to the DOJ, “The Fund will receive $1.776 billion and will come from the judgment fund, which is a perpetual appropriation allowing DOJ to settle and pay cases.”

During a congressional hearing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that the anti-weaponization fund has not been “set up yet” with no commissioners named nor any claims made. Under pressure from House lawmakers, Blanche declared that the DOJ would never advance with the plan for this fund.

Schumer reiterated, “After tonight’s vote, it’s clear to Americans that Republicans refused to outlaw Donald Trump’s $2 billion slush fund. Now the whole country can see the truth: Republicans fought like hell to protect Donald Trump and his slush fund but didn’t lift a finger to help working Americans lower their costs.” He accused the Republicans of standing against various Democratic initiatives, such as constructing 7 million affordable homes and reducing gas prices, in favor of supporting Trump.

The funding package is now set to move to the House of Representatives before potentially reaching President Donald Trump.