Senate Republicans on Thursday narrowly defeated a Democratic attempt to block Donald Trump from creating a $1.8bn (£1.4bn) fund to pay allies, exposing divisions within the president's own party. The amendment, proposed by Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, 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—joined all Democrats in support.
The proposed 'anti-weaponisation' fund, intended to issue settlements to individuals linked to the January 6 insurrection, has caused rifts among Senate Republicans. It also complicated efforts to resolve a standoff with Democrats over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), agencies central to Trump's immigration policies.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche assured lawmakers earlier this week that the administration would not proceed with the fund, but Schumer insisted on legislative action. 'Republicans are trusting the word of Todd Blanche, who built a career on lying,' Schumer said, noting Trump had expressed 'love' for the fund the previous day.
The amendment was attached to a $70bn bill funding ICE and CBP through 2029, which Republicans aim to pass via budget reconciliation to bypass a Democratic filibuster. The standoff began in January when Democrats withheld votes for appropriations without reforms, triggering a 75-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
After Schumer's amendment failed, Republican Senator Thom Tillis proposed redirecting the fund's money to fraud-fighting efforts. Democrats rejected this, with Senator Jeff Merkley calling it 'insufficient.' Tillis's amendment failed with only 11 Republicans and three Democrats in favour.
