“Obviously, our members have very legitimate questions about it,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters. “We’ve had some conversations about … if it’s going to be a feature going forward, about what it might look like and how we might make sure that it’s fenced in appropriately.”The meeting comes ahead of the Senate embarking on a marathon debate and amendment process to advance the GOP’s $70 billion immigration enforcement bill, a filibuster-skirting process that Republicans may use to impose guardrails on who could be compensated.
The $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded DOJ fund is billed by the administration as an avenue to compensate those who were politically targeted during the Biden administration. Yet, Republicans across the ideological spectrum fear even those convicted for assaulting police officers during the 2021 Capitol riot could receive a payout.
Thune has previously said he fails to “see a purpose” for the fund and was “not a fan.”
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ‘ANTI-WEAPONIZATION’ FUND GETS COLD RECEPTION FROM GOP ON CAPITOL HILL
Blanche’s closed-door meeting follows his public testimony Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers from both parties raised concerns. Blanche argued the program is similar to an Obama-era program to compensate Native American farmers and ranchers.
