Senate Republicans have stalled a crucial immigration enforcement bill and adjourned until June, fueled by intense opposition to a $1.8 billion Justice Department fund they fear could be used to compensate allies of President Donald Trump. The legislative setback followed a contentious meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, where lawmakers expressed deep unease.
The fund, which Democrats have labeled a "slush fund," has raised concerns that it might distribute money to individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney, was summoned to the Capitol to address these anxieties, but his efforts failed to placate the Republican senators.
Emerging "stone-faced" from the discussion, Senate Republicans opted to leave Washington, postponing a vote on over $70 billion in federal immigration enforcement funding. This decision defies President Trump's earlier directive for Congress to pass the funding by June 1. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, acknowledged that GOP senators have "very legitimate questions" and want to make sure the DOJ fund is "fenced in appropriately." He added, "It makes everything way harder than it should be." The delay means the significant immigration budget will not be addressed until early June.