Republicans flee Washington after flap on Trump's 'weaponization fund' and ballroom spending
Republicans in the U.S. Senate have decided to abandon a vote on an ICE funding bill due to disagreements over President Trump's proposed 'weaponization fund.' This decision has delayed the vote on a significant $72 billion immigration funding bill until at least June. The situation has been complicated by recent primary election outcomes and Trump's influence over Republican candidates.
- ▪Senate Republicans walked away from a planned vote on an ICE funding bill due to disagreements over Trump's priorities.
- ▪The proposed $1.8 billion 'weaponization fund' became a major sticking point in the negotiations.
- ▪Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed frustration over the complications introduced to the funding bill.
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Republicans flee Washington after flap on Trump's 'weaponization fund' and ballroom spendingSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxU.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) speaks to reporters during a press conference following the Republicans' weekly policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Tom BrennerPublished May 22, 2026, 04:19 AMUpdated May 22, 2026, 04:19 AMWASHINGTON, May 21 - U.S. Senate Republicans abandoned plans to vote on an ICE funding bill on Thursday in an act of revolt over one of President Donald Trump's priorities: a $1.8 billion fund for victims of government "weaponization," including those convicted of crimes during the riots at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.The Senate walked away from a planned vote on a…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.