Senate Republicans on Thursday voted down several attempts to permanently shut down President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponisation” fund, despite growing concerns within the party over the controversial programme.
The fund, which is designed to compensate people who claim they were unfairly targeted by government actions, has sparked criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.
Opponents argue it could become a vehicle for rewarding Trump allies and potentially provide compensation to individuals involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
The votes took place during the Senate’s marathon amendment session, known as a “vote-a-rama,” tied to a $70 billion Republican-backed immigration funding bill.
The immigration package, which includes funding for agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, has been delayed for weeks due to resistance from Republicans uneasy about the anti-weaponisation fund.
Democrats used the debate to challenge several Trump priorities. Among them was an amendment sponsored by Senator Jeff Merkley seeking to block funding for Trump’s planned White House ballroom project. The proposal failed, although several Republican senators crossed party lines to support it.
The administration has recently tried to calm concerns over the compensation fund. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers earlier this week that the Justice Department was no longer moving forward with the programme.
However, Trump appeared less definitive when asked about its future.
Speaking on Wednesday, the president defended the idea and stopped short of confirming that it had been abandoned permanently.
“I’d have to ask the lawyers,” Trump said. “As far as I’m concerned, it was a beautiful thing.”
An amendment introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to eliminate the fund failed in a 49-50 vote. Republican Senators Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan joined Democrats in supporting the measure, reflecting unease within parts of the GOP.
A separate amendment sponsored by Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, which sought to terminate the fund, also failed. Democrats argued that Tillis’ proposal still left room for the administration to revive the initiative under a different name.
The issue exposed divisions within Republican ranks, particularly among senators facing competitive elections or those who have previously clashed with Trump.
One of them, Senator Bill Cassidy, ultimately voted against the Democratic amendment despite publicly criticising the fund. Cassidy and Democratic Senator Cory Booker also filed a court brief on Thursday opposing the programme.
In the filing, both senators described the fund as a threat to constitutional checks and balances, arguing that it could bypass Congress’s authority over federal spending.
They also warned that compensating January 6 participants would effectively portray individuals involved in the Capitol riot as victims rather than offenders.
“The Anti-Weaponization Fund presents a threat to our constitutional democracy,” the senators wrote.
As debate continued, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham introduced an amendment that would require voters to present identification and proof of citizenship before voting.
The proposal failed to secure the 60 votes needed for passage after all Democrats and four Republicans voted against it.
Despite repeated assurances from the administration that the compensation programme is no longer active, some Republican lawmakers remain unconvinced.
Senator Thom Tillis said he would not support the immigration funding bill unless language formally ending the fund was included.
“I voted to begin debate with the hope that we could get an amendment adopted or support another member’s amendment,” Tillis said.
The controversy has become a significant obstacle for Republican leaders as they attempt to secure passage of what many in the party view as one of Trump’s most important legislative priorities before the 2026 midterm elections.
While the anti-weaponisation fund remains politically contentious, Thursday’s votes showed that Republicans are not yet prepared to formally close the door on the proposal.
