UMVA has learned that Senate Republicans are demanding a clear answer on the status of the Trump administration's nearly $2 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which has been stalled, before proceeding with a multibillion-dollar immigration enforcement package.
The Department of Justice has stated that it "disagrees strongly" with a federal court's order against the fund but will adhere to the decision. However, many Republicans argue that this is not enough to alleviate their concerns, leaving them wondering if the administration plans to appeal or abandon the fund.
"I appreciate them saying that, but they don't have a choice," said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. "They have to abide by federal district court law. It doesn't tell me whether they're planning on appeal. It doesn't tell me whether the administration's backing off the idea — it doesn't tell me anything, except they're gonna follow the law."
The controversy surrounds President Donald Trump's roughly $70 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Republicans abruptly halted budget reconciliation, the party-line process they're using to push through the funding package, after a contentious meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the fund.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Republicans are divided on the issue, with some senators arguing that the fund's fate is crucial to moving forward with the immigration enforcement package. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told reporters that the only way to resolve the issue is for the president to do away with the fund.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., suggested that the DOJ's announcement signaled that the fund had been shut down, but emphasized that conversations among Republicans would determine the next steps on reconciliation. Thune acknowledged that Republicans want more answers from the administration.
Some Republicans, like Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., support the concept of a compensation fund for those who claim to have been wronged by the government, but argue that the administration and implementation are critical. "My view on that is, you can work those details out in a way that rewards victims," Hawley said.
Others, like Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., are ready to move on from the controversy, saying it's a "moot point" and that the focus should be on passing the ICE and CBP funding. Schmitt emphasized that Democrats have been obstructing the funding for too long.
