Senate Republicans have retreated from trying to block funding for the controversial $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” after meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to address concerns about the taxpayer-funded reserve.
According to ABC News, Republican lawmakers were rushing to put a roughly $70 billion budget reconciliation bill to restore funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) on the Senate Floor for votes as soon as May 21, 2026.
GOP officials had hoped the bill would be sent over to the House before Congress’s Memorial Day recess and President Donald Trump’s June 1 deadline, but following the meeting with AG Blanche, the process has now been postponed.
Through the budget reconciliation process, the chamber can pass the bill with a simple majority rather than the usual 60 votes to accept most legislative measures.
Before the budget reconciliation bill can be passed, a voting marathon known as a "vote-a-rama" is scheduled to take place, granting federal officials the chance to amend the bill unlimitedly.
Removal of $1 Billion for White House Ballroom
In a preemptive move, Senate Republicans sought to amend the spending package, telling reporters that the $1 billion for White House security and the ballroom would likely be removed due to insignificant GOP support.
The GOP’s assurances come after Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough affirmed that the proposal cannot remain in the funding bill.
MacDonough’s comments prompted President Trump to urge Congressional Republicans to fire the parliamentarian, telling them to “get smart and tough.”
Additionally, Senate Republicans are looking for ways to use the ICE and CBP package to impose restrictions on the “Anti-Weaponization” fund, which is expected to compensate President Trump’s allies, including rioters who participated in the Jan 6, 2021, Capitol Riots.
If Republicans fail to establish a clear way to address the fund in the spending package, which is currently unpopular with some GOP lawmakers, Democrats can, in turn, use the opportunity to propose stricter amendments.
