Senate Rejects Amendment to Block DOJ "Anti-Weaponization" Fund

The U.S. Senate on Thursday rejected a Democratic amendment that would have permanently blocked a Justice Department “anti-weaponization” fund, as lawmakers began a marathon series of votes on a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement package.

The amendment failed, 49-50, during a “vote-a-rama” tied to a reconciliation bill that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. The proposal would have sent the package back to the Senate Judiciary Committee with instructions to bar any money from going to the DOJ fund.

Three Republicans — Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan — joined Democrats in supporting the amendment, underscoring divisions inside the GOP over the fund. The Senate continued voting on additional proposals after the amendment fell short.

A separate amendment, offered by Sen. Thom Tillis, also failed, 15-84. That measure would have redirected money from the DOJ fund to fraud enforcement, and it drew support from several Republicans and three Democrats, the article said.

Reconciliation strategy and funding fight

Republicans are using the reconciliation process to move the immigration enforcement package with a simple majority, avoiding the Senate’s typical 60-vote threshold. The package would provide about $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol funding.

The votes come as lawmakers work to finalize fiscal year 2026 government funding after earlier shutdowns. The article described reconciliation as part of a broader effort to complete outstanding agency funding and lock in spending through the end of the Trump administration.

Questions around the DOJ fund

The DOJ fund is described as intended for payouts to people who say the federal government was “weaponized” against them. The proposal has faced skepticism in the Senate, including among some Republicans.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a House committee earlier this week that the administration was not moving forward with the fund, but some senators remained unconvinced, the article said.

More votes on proposals related to the fund were expected as the vote-a-rama continued.