Senate Republicans defeated language to block the creation of the Justice Department’s “anti-weaponization” fund, but not without three defections from swing state senators and hours of suspense on the chamber floor.The Thursday vote, brought by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), was the first in a prolonged fight centered on the $1.776 billion settlement fund. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche assured lawmakers this week that it would no longer move forward following a bipartisan uproar, but he refused to commit that to writing, and President Donald Trump has since given conflicting messages on its future.Had the amendment passed, it would have jeopardized a larger bill on immigration enforcement. The vote hung open for well over three hours as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) huddled with a group of Republicans. Later, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), both of whom are opposed to the fund, could be seen consulting with the parliamentarian on their own amendment language.
Ultimately, Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Husted (R-OH), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) broke with Republicans, but the defections were not enough for the amendment to pass. All three are up for reelection this cycle in battleground states.
