Senate Republicans on Thursday narrowly defeated a Democratic attempt to block President Donald Trump from creating a $1.8bn fund to compensate his allies, as divisions within the president’s own party emerged over the proposal. The amendment, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, sought to bar the payouts in legislation funding Trump’s mass deportation campaign. It failed by a 49-50 vote after a three-hour debate.
Three Republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, and Jon Husted of Ohio—broke ranks to support the measure, joining all Democrats. These senators are considered vulnerable in the upcoming midterm elections. The fund, described as an “anti-weaponisation” fund, has sparked controversy over its potential use for settlements related to the January 6 insurrection.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had assured lawmakers earlier this week that the administration would not proceed with the fund. However, Schumer insisted on legislative action, stating, “Republicans are trusting the word of Todd Blanche, who built a career on lying.” He added, “Do any of us believe that Donald Trump… will be able to resist getting his sticky fingers in the slush fund?”
The amendment was attached to a $70bn bill funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through 2029. Republicans are using budget reconciliation to bypass the Democratic filibuster. After Schumer’s amendment failed, Republican Senator Thom Tillis proposed redirecting the fund to combat fraud, but Democrats rejected it, with Senator Jeff Merkley calling it insufficient. Tillis’s amendment failed with only 14 votes in favour.
