Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on May 21, 2026 (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A multibillion-dollar immigration funding package for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term faced modern delays Thursday as Senate Republicans showed a sporadic disagreement with the president modern “anti-gun” fund.
The administration sent acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans as many fought to impose limits on Trump’s $1.776 billion fund as a condition for passage of a proposed $72 billion plan for the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said the hour-long closed-door meeting with Blanche included “a lively discussion.”
The Justice Department announced Monday that Fund for “crime victims” in exchange for Trump dropping his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. Both authorities fall under his jurisdiction.
“It is unprecedented to see an agreement between two parties who appear to be the same person,” Paul said.
Ultimately, senators walked away from their meeting with Blanche because they saw no immediate path to passing the budget reconciliation bill, which requires a plain majority to pass. Senate Majority Leader John Thune can only afford to lose a handful of votes in the Republican-led Senate, which is split 53-47 as all Democrats vow to reject the package.
“We’re going home,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., as he made flight preparations with his staff while standing outside the briefing room.
Thune told reporters: “We will pick up where we left off.”
Asked if he thought a solution could be found, the South Dakota Republican said, “I’m counting on it.”
The Senate adjourned all but pro forma sessions until the afternoon of June 1, the date Trump was expected to have the finished bill on his desk.
Among the sticking points of the Blanche meeting: whether defendants who assaulted police officers over the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021 would be eligible for the financial relief.
“I have raised this issue,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “But we haven’t seen any (legislative) language yet.”
The administration maintains The fund will be nonpartisan and not only open to Trump supporters. A five-member commission – four appointed by Blanche and the fifth in consultation with Congress – will decide financial claims.
On Tuesday, more details were released from the Justice Department showing that Trump and his family are here to stay immune from tax audits as part of billing.
Ballroom battle
Before the debate broke out over Trump’s “anti-gun” fund, Republicans had already broken $1 billion in intelligence protections in the bill, $220 million of which was for “harden“Trump’s White House Ballroom Project.”
The funds for the East Wing Modernization Project would have funded bulletproof glass, drone detection technologies and filter systems to detect chemical or other pollutants.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who lost his primary on Saturday after Trump endorsed another candidate, told reporters he would do so don’t vote for ballroom funds.
Democrats Credit claimed for removing the $1 billion from the bill after he questioned whether the provision met the strict parameters of reconciliation. Ultimately, the Senate parliamentarian ruled it out, causing an uproar on social media attack from Trump Tuesday.
Trump told reporters Thursday that if Senate Republicans don’t find a way to pass the additional security money, “then the White House won’t be a very safe place.”
Senate Democrats vow to stop slush funds
Democrats used the opportunity to highlight Republican divisions.
“This afternoon, Republicans — so divided, so dysfunctional, so disorganized — are fleeing Washington,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters at a news conference after movement on the package stalled.
“Republicans are divided when it comes to things Americans don’t want, but Democrats are united when it comes to things the people want – cutting their costs, curbing the chaos and fighting the corruption that is endemic in this administration,” the New York Democrat added.
Schumer added: “We will do everything we can to stop this slush fund, whether it’s in court, whether it’s legislatively, whether it’s through reconciliation or other legislative means.”
Senate Democrats still plan to present a handful of painful amendments to GOP senators to vote on during a marathon voting session when and if the bill finally passes.
Vote on war powers postponed
Across the Capitol, House Republicans abruptly delayed a vote on the Iran War Powers Resolution just before it was set to take place on the floor.
This would have been the fourth time Democrats have brought the privileged motion to the floor. The 1970s War Powers Resolution sets reporting procedures and limits on a president’s military campaigns abroad.
An attempt to contain Trump’s election campaign in Iran failed in a tie vote in the House of Representatives just a week ago.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., shouted on the floor as the presiding officer advanced proceedings and skipped the War Powers Resolution.
“Are we not voting on this because the American people are fed up with this illegal war that is costing tens of billions of dollars? Gasoline prices are going through the roof. People can’t afford their food,” McGovern said, claiming Republicans lacked the “courage” to vote on it.
The House of Representatives now also travels for Memorial Day recess and will not return until June 1st.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.
