Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Suozzi, the bipartisan co-chairs of the Home Drawback Solvers Caucus, known as on Sunday for Congress to dam the implementation of the Justice Division’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund.”
“The problem right here, Jonathan, is a statute that mainly bypasses Congress,” Fitzpatrick advised ABC Information’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “Congress appropriates cash. The manager department doesn’t have a dime of cash in its personal stage. Each greenback that goes to the manager department emanates from Article I, emanates from Congress by the appropriations course of we’re in now.”
Fitzpatrick, a Republican, and Democrat Suozzi launched a invoice that will forestall the fund from disbursing any funds.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Might 24, 2026.
ABC Information
The Justice Division introduced the creation of the $1.8 billion fund that would pay settlements to these claiming “victimization” by the federal government, a gaggle that would embody rioters from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the U.S. Capitol.
Bipartisan backlash to the fund’s announcement has grown since its announcement.
Performing Legal professional Common Todd Blanche met with Republican senators on the Capitol on Thursday to attempt to quell the backlash over the “anti-weaponization fund,” however sources advised ABC Information that the assembly was tense, with some allies to President Donald Trump talking out towards it and one telling Blanche, “You created this s— sandwich, you bought to determine it out.”
Suozzi mentioned Sunday that Republicans ought to be part of Democrats in exercising the ability of Congress to dam taxpayer cash from being paid out by the fund.
“It’s actually as much as the Republicans to hitch with the Democrats. Everyone is aware of that is unsuitable,” Suozzi mentioned. “That is the aim of the checks and balances in authorities, in order that one department of presidency does one thing silly or unsuitable, the opposite department holds them accountable.”
Suozzi had harsh phrases for the concept that funds might go to Jan. 6 rioters who have been convicted for assaulting law enforcement officials.
Requested by CNN about the opportunity of these individuals receiving funds from the fund on Wednesday, Blance replied, “Folks that harm police get cash on a regular basis.” However Blanche then added it might be “abhorrent to ever, ever contact a legislation enforcement officer” and mentioned it as “a totally totally different query with whether or not a person is allowed to use for a declare” and “whether or not they’ll get a declare.”
He mentioned the day earlier than in a Senate committee listening to that whereas Jan. 6 rioters might apply for cash, there was no assure they might obtain a fee.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Might 24, 2026.
ABC Information
“There’s one story that I like to inform over and over, the cop being beat up on January 6, individuals saying, “Kill him, kill him, and this man comes up, Daniel Rodriguez, he sticks a taser in his neck and tases the police officer. The police officer has a coronary heart assault and now has mind harm from that,” Suozzi mentioned. “He ended up getting a 12-year sentence. The president pardoned him. Now they need to give him cash. It is loopy.”
Republicans who’ve defied the president have confronted penalties. GOP incumbents who’ve opposed the president have misplaced their primaries to Trump-backed challengers, together with Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky and Sen. Invoice Cassidy in Louisiana previously week.
When requested by Karl if he nervous concerning the president coming after him for his push towards the fund, Fitzpatrick mentioned he was not.
“I do not fear about any exterior criticism. Everyone’s acquired a job to do. Everyone’s proper and free to talk their thoughts,” Fitzpatrick mentioned. “My job is to signify the folks that despatched me right here, and I am going to do this.”
Suozzi praised Fitzpatrick’s willingness to oppose the president on some points.
“Brian has demonstrated this earlier than. He signed different discharge petitions and different Republicans have joined him on totally different points, particularly over the previous few weeks,” Suozzi mentioned. “We want our Republican colleagues … to face up and say that is proper and that’s unsuitable, and we have to work collectively to make our nation a greater place, and deal with the issues that individuals care about.”
