SouthernWorldwide.com – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has strongly criticized Senate Republicans following their vote to approve billions of dollars in funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The bill was passed with a 52-47 vote, largely along party lines. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the sole Republican to join the Democrats in voting against the measure.
“Tonight, Senate Republicans passed a rotten bill that makes their priorities painfully clear: more money for Donald Trump, more power for Donald Trump, and nothing to lower costs for working families,” Schumer stated. He further elaborated, “Republicans refused to permanently outlaw Trump’s $2 billion slush fund, leaving taxpayers to rely on nothing more than a promise from Donald Trump’s personal fixer. That is not accountability. That is a permission slip.”
Schumer continued his critique, stating, “They pumped another $70 billion into Trump’s personal police force, defended Trump’s corrupt ballroom, and protected his slush fund for cop-beaters— all while voting against Senate Democrats’ efforts to lower the cost of housing, health care, gas, and childcare.” He characterized the Republican agenda as focused on “a slush fund for Trump, tax dodges for Trump, a ballroom for Trump, and a private militia for Trump.” In contrast, he highlighted the Democratic agenda as fighting “to put money back in Americans’ pockets,” while Republicans, in his view, are “fighting to put more power, more money, and more weapons in Donald Trump’s hands.”
The Justice Department had previously announced that as part of a settlement agreement in the case of President Donald J. Trump v. Internal Revenue Service, the Attorney General established “The Anti-Weaponization Fund.” This fund is intended to provide a systematic process for hearing and redressing claims from individuals who have experienced “weaponization and lawfare.”
The DOJ explained that the fund would receive $1.776 billion, sourced from the judgment fund, which is a perpetual appropriation that allows the DOJ to settle and pay legal cases.
During a congressional hearing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that the DOJ would not proceed with the anti-weaponization fund plan. He stated that the fund had not yet been established, noting that no commissioners had been appointed and no claims had been filed.
Schumer reiterated his disappointment in a subsequent statement, saying, “After tonight’s vote, it’s clear to Americans that Republicans refused to outlaw Donald Trump’s $2 billion slush fund.” He added, “Now the whole country can see the truth: Republicans fought like hell to protect Donald Trump and his slush fund but didn’t lift a finger to help working Americans lower their costs.”
He further accused Senate Republicans of attempting to “bury their radical agenda in the dead of night.” Schumer asserted that Democrats had compelled them to address their priorities through numerous amendments and votes. He detailed that Republicans voted against initiatives aimed at building affordable housing, lowering gas prices, regulating health insurance companies, and making childcare more affordable. “Again and again, Republicans chose Trump instead,” Schumer concluded. “While families are struggling to get ahead, Senate Republicans just voted to help Trump bleed them dry.”
The funding package now requires approval from the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for his consideration.
