Senate Republicans narrowly block bid to bar Trump’s $1.8bn fund to pay allies

Key Points:

• Senate Republicans narrowly blocked a Democratic amendment aimed at preventing Donald Trump from establishing a $1.8 billion fund to pay his allies, with the amendment failing 49-50 after three vulnerable Republican senators sided with Democrats.
• The fund, described as an “anti-weaponization” fund potentially used for financial settlements related to the January 6 insurrection, has caused division within the Republican Party and complicated negotiations over funding for ICE and CBP.
• Despite the administration's acting attorney general stating the fund would not move forward, Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, insist on a legislative ban to ensure the money is never spent, citing distrust of Trump's intentions.
• Republican Senator Thom Tillis proposed an alternative amendment to redirect the fund’s money to justice department fraud efforts, but it was rejected by Democrats who viewed it as merely shifting control rather than eliminating such funds.
• The funding bill for ICE and CBP, totaling $70 billion and intended to last through 2029, remains contentious, with Republicans pushing to pass it through budget reconciliation to avoid a Democratic filibuster amid ongoing immigration policy disputes.