GOP Senators Push Trump to Drop $1.8B Anti-Weaponization Fund for Budget Deal
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) urged the White House to abandon a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which was intended for alleged MAGA victims of political targeting, to unblock a stalled $72 billion budget reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement. After Thune’s intervention and a court loss, the Trump administration suspended the fund, clearing a path for renewed negotiations. Thune seeks further assurances the fund is permanently dead to secure Republican votes and avoid Democratic amendments.
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Top Republican Begs Trump to Abandon Vanity Projects for Budget Bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is urgently pressing the White House to permanently abandon Donald Trump's proposed $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund, which was intended for alleged MAGA victims of political targeting, in order to secure Republican votes for a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill. Thune called the White House on Monday to request the fund's removal, and the Department of Justice subsequently announced it would suspend its plans after a major court loss. However, Thune told Punchbowl News that additional assurances the fund is dead would be 'helpful' for rallying Republicans. He emphasized confining the bill to its original intent—funding for ICE and CBP—as the clearest path to passage. Punchbowl reported Thune was 'practically begging' the administration, fearing Republican defections and Democratic amendments. A separate $1.5 billion DOJ fund was also dropped. The article frames Thune as desperate to rein in Trump's spending and personal vendettas ahead of the midterms.
The New RepublicTop Republican John Thune Begs Trump to Drop Slush Fund to Pass Budget Bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is urgently pressing the White House to abandon Donald Trump's proposed $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' slush fund, intended for alleged MAGA victims of political targeting, in order to secure passage of a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill. Thune called the White House on Monday, and shortly after, the Department of Justice suspended its plans following a major court loss. However, Thune told Punchbowl News that additional assurances the fund is dead would be 'helpful' to rally Republicans and prevent defections to Democratic-led amendments. He also confirmed a separate $1.5 billion DOJ fund would be dropped. The article frames Thune as desperate to rein in Trump's spending and personal vendettas ahead of the midterms, while criticizing Republicans for enabling the situation.
The New RepublicTop Republican John Thune Begs Trump to Drop Slush Fund to Pass Budget Bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is urgently pressing the White House to abandon Donald Trump's proposed $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' slush fund, intended for alleged MAGA victims of political targeting, in order to secure passage of a $72 billion budget reconciliation bill. Thune called the White House on Monday, and shortly after, the Department of Justice suspended its plans following a major court loss. However, Thune told Punchbowl News that additional assurances the fund is dead would be 'helpful' to rally Republicans and prevent defections to Democratic-led amendments. He also confirmed a separate $1.5 billion fund for DOJ projects would be dropped. The report frames Thune as desperate to rein in Trump's spending and keep personal vendettas out of the legislative agenda ahead of the midterms.
The New RepublicGOP Sees Path Forward on Budget Package After Trump Administration Drops Anti-Weaponization Fund
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other Republican senators see a path forward for passing the stalled budget reconciliation package that funds immigration enforcement operations, after the Trump administration on Monday backed down from a proposal to establish a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund for MAGA allies. The fund had been a major sticking point for some GOP senators, causing the package to stall. Thune called on the White House to clarify the administration's position, and the administration's retreat has opened the door for renewed negotiations. The reconciliation package is a key legislative priority for Republicans, aiming to boost border security and immigration enforcement. The development marks a significant shift in the intra-party dynamics, potentially allowing the bill to move forward in Congress.
Just In NewsThune urges White House to scrap $1.8B anti-weaponization fund for budget deal
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stated on Monday that he prefers the White House to eliminate the proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund to facilitate passage of a budget reconciliation package. Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Thune emphasized he has made his views clear on the issue. The fund, intended to counter weaponization of government agencies, faces opposition from Thune, who sees it as a potential obstacle to broader fiscal legislation. The statement highlights ongoing intra-party and inter-branch negotiations over spending priorities and legislative strategy in the current Congress.
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