Bipartisan House bill seeks to cut off taxpayer funding for Trump's $1.7B 'anti-weaponization fund'

Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) joined hands to introduce a bill on Friday to prohibit federal funds from being used to pay any claims submitted to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) newly minted anti-weaponization fund. The Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act comes in the wake of Fitzpatrick's May 20 letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, demanding information on where the funds are being diverted from and how the designated account will use them.

"Congress has a constitutional responsibility to protect taxpayer dollars and oversee federal spending. Taxpayer dollars will not become a discretionary payout fund. Transparency is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable," Fitzpatrick, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement.

This marks the first major cross-aisle legislative revolt against what many critics. including Democrats, call a 'slush fund'. The bill looks to restrict the federal government's attempt to bypass Congress and compensate allies, including January 6 convicts, with public money. The move raises the political stakes around a controversial fund ahead of the November midterms. The effort boasts a slim chance of success in the House but suggests a lack of unequivocal support for the fund within the GOP ranks.

What does the letter say

Fitzpatrick's one-page letter appears to question Blanche's role in facilitating the settlement, calling on him to clarify the source of money. He said that the "massive" fund, with no judicial oversight, represents a "dangerous backsliding in the transparency of institutions and commitment to the American taxpayer."

"What is the exact legal purpose of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, and will individuals convicted of federal crimes or associated with acts of violence be eligible to receive monetary payouts?" one of the questions read.

Another question required Blanche to spell out a precedent in which a previous U.S. administration established "discretionary compensation programs" not authorized by Congress. The Acting Attorney General has been asked to respond to the questions by June 1.

Fitzpatrick is the latest Republican to come out staunchly against the fund. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) called the idea "stupid on stilts" and the fund a "payout pot for punks," earlier this week, referring to the possibility that pardoned Capitol Hill attackers may benefit from it.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) publicly distanced himself from the fund, stipulating that he was "not a big fan" of the idea. This is not the only legislative effort to block the fund. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) moved to thwart the fund's creation with his 'No Rewards for January 6 Rioters' bill on Friday. The effort failed to pass muster after Senate Republicans blocked it.