Republicans defeat Gallego amendment pushing back on fund to compensate Trump allies
On Tuesday, Republican senators, Sen. He tabled an amendment introduced by Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) that would block the Trump administration from creating a $1.776 billion “counterproliferation” fund.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) established the fund on Monday as part of a settlement after President Trump sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for $10 billion in January. People who believe the federal government has wronged them can seek compensation and seek a “formal apology,” under the new policy criticized by Democratic lawmakers.
Sen. Sen., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said the Senate Budget Committee advised him that the Gallego amendment “does not comply with the rules.” Republicans on the panel then tabled the amendment on an 8-7 partisan vote.
“I propose this amendment for a simple reason: taxpayer dollars should never be used to enrich a sitting president, his family or his political allies,” Gallego said at the hearing Tuesday.
“The president of the United States sued his own government and then negotiated a deal with his own Department of Justice to create a nearly $2 billion fund to compensate himself, his family and his allies,” the Arizona Democrat added.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who will appoint five members to the fund’s board of directors, said Tuesday that donors to Trump’s campaign and members of the Oath Keepers — some of whom have been convicted of felonies for their roles in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021
Blanche told Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing that “Commissioners will set the rules” regarding the fund’s spending.
“It’s not up to me to determine that, that’s up to the commissioners and whether a person who is an Oath Keeper like you just mentioned can apply for compensation, anyone in this country can apply,” he added.
on monday Press releaseThe Justice Department said Trump and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. He stated that Eric Trump will receive a formal apology, but they will not receive any monetary payment in return for withdrawing their lawsuit. The president sued the IRS after an agency contractor leaked his tax returns to news outlets.
But Gallego harshly criticized those convicted of the Jan. 6 crimes who could seek compensation from the fund. “So much for supporting blue,” Gallego said, flanked by an aide holding a photo of people convicted of assaulting police officers during the attack.
“This is not justice, this is deep misuse of public funds,” he added.
Dozens of House Democrats on Monday also sued to block the creation of the fund, arguing that the move “raises the specter of corruption unparalleled in American history.”
Rebecca Beitsch contributes reporting.
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