Senate Republicans defeated a Democratic amendment on Thursday that sought to permanently prohibit the Justice Department from creating its proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund. The measure failed 49-50 after hours of debate. Three Republican senators joined Democrats in supporting it.
The amendment, offered by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, aimed to block any future use of the federal Judgment Fund for the program. All Democrats voted yes, while Sens. Susan Collins, Dan Sullivan, and Jon Husted crossed party lines. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had told Congress this week that the department would not proceed with the fund. President Trump later said Congress did not want it. Democrats described the proposal as a 'MAGA slush fund' intended to compensate January 6 defendants and others. Republicans cited concerns over costs and potential beneficiaries. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against the fund on May 29. The Justice Department said it would comply while disagreeing with the ruling.
