A $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund created by President Donald Trump’s administration could stall the passage of a Republican-led $72 billion immigration enforcement reconciliation package.
The chamber left for Memorial Day recess on May 21 without sending the reconciliation package to Trump’s desk by his June 1 deadline. Since many Republicans oppose the fund and want more guardrails, Democrats might seek to offer amendments to restrict, block or add oversight to the fund when the reconciliation bill is on the floor, which could seriously threaten the package’s passage.
This package would provide over $30.73 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $22.57 billion to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and $2.5 billion in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations through 2029. (RELATED: Senate Bolts For Memorial Day, Punts Bill Funding Immigration Enforcement Until June)
If enough Republicans support Democrats on restricting or blocking the fund, it could be added into the final version of the bill’s text, which raises the likelihood of Trump vetoing the bill. House Republicans could also place hurdles on the Senate’s version of the package if these restrictions on the fund are put in place.
Senate Republicans held a meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on May 21, who did not agree to Republicans’ requests to exempt violent criminals from receiving any compensation. The fund could pay people alleging the legal system was “weaponized” against them. It is part of a settlement agreement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to end a civil lawsuit filed in January over the leak of his tax returns by an independent contractor.
Republican leadership asked the White House to include guardrails on the fund, which include blocking violent convicts from receiving compensation, according to Punchbowl News.
A White House official told Semafor that they “appreciated” the Senate’s feedback on the fund and “look forward to additional conversations as needed.”
A federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, temporarily blocked the government from moving forward with the fund while litigation is pending to challenge it. The ruling may not stop senators from wanting to add language to the package that restricts or blocks the fund.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 21: Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives at the U.S Capitol on May 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. Blanche was expected to meet with Republican members of Congress to address concerns related to the newly announced $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization fund” and attempts to finalize a reconciliation bill. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Opponents of the fund included Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Katie Britt of Alabama, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Senate Majority Leader John Thune appeared skeptical of the fund, stating he was “not a fan.” Many of them were angry that Trump did not inform them of the fund ahead of time and expressed concern about the funds going to Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol rioters who assaulted officers.
“People are concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas, not about putting together a $1.8 billion fund for the president and his allies to pay whomever they wish with no legal precedent or accountability,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy lost his reelection bid during his May 16 primary to Republican Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow, who received Trump’s endorsement.
Britt and Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville told The Hill they did not want Capitol rioters who assaulted officers to receive any compensation.
“Surely, we’re not going to award people money that hit a policeman or a cop, or like, we’re not going to do that,” Tuberville told journalist Jamie Dupree, according to AL.com.
The reconciliation package is in response to the 76-day shutdown of DHS after Democrats refused to fund the agency following high-profile shootings involving immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January. With the fund threatening the reconciliation bill’s passage, some Senate Republicans, including Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, called for the chamber to abandon the broader package and return to a narrower bill focused on funding ICE and CBP, Semafor reported.
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