Republicans cancel votes amid fight over Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund - BERITAJA

WASHINGTON — Objections to the Trump administration’s controversial anti-weaponization fund prompted Senate Republican leaders connected Thursday to punt a ballot connected a GOP package to fund ICE and Border Patrol until June, 2 GOP sources acquainted pinch the discussions told Beritaja.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had aimed to get the reconciliation package done the Senate and onto the House earlier the Memorial Day holiday. But GOP senators emerged from a closed-door briefing pinch apical Justice Department officials about the weaponization money pinch much questions than answers, and it became clear that Republicans did not person statement connected moving forward.

The Justice Department has said it plans to make $1.776 cardinal successful payer money disposable for the fund. Given Democratic opposition, the only method of passing that done Congress would beryllium to adhd it to the migration “reconciliation” package, which could walk pinch only Republican votes.

“I deliberation the management is putting itself successful a bad spot,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said aft the backstage briefing.

The briefing lasted complete an hr and half, and Republicans came retired tight-lipped and appeared frustrated, saying they are moving connected really they could put guardrails connected the anti-weaponization fund.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., besides announced during a closed-door luncheon pinch Democratic senators that location would beryllium nary much votes successful the enclosure until June 1, said Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis.

The Republican-only reconciliation measure would supply about $70 cardinal successful costs for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, 2 agencies that were near retired of the bipartisan authorities backing package earlier this twelvemonth amid Democratic demands to enforce restraints connected Trump’s fierce enforcement tactics.

Another wrinkle successful Republicans’ efforts to walk the bill: $1 cardinal successful backing requested by President Donald Trump for information measures related to his White House ballroom. It faces important Republican resistance.

House GOP leaders were waiting for the Senate to nonstop complete the backing package. But pinch the Senate heading for the exits, the House is expected to travel suit. Congress plans to return disconnected adjacent week for the Memorial Day vacation and return to Washington the first week of June.

Trump has said he wanted Congress to nonstop the ICE and separator patrol backing package to his table by June 1. But pinch lawmakers leaving town, it’s clear they will now rustle past that deadline.