GOP Immigration Bill Stalls Over Trump Ballroom and DOJ Fund

Senate Republicans are increasingly unlikely to meet their self-imposed deadline to pass a massive immigration enforcement package after internal disputes over President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project and a controversial Justice Department settlement fund derailed negotiations.

The roughly $70 billion immigration bill had been expected to move through the Senate this week. Instead, GOP lawmakers signaled Thursday that a final vote will likely be delayed until after the Memorial Day recess.

Republican divisions slow Senate negotiations

Republicans were already struggling with backlash over a proposal that included about $1 billion in security funding tied to Trump’s new White House ballroom project.

The package included:

• Security upgrades for the White House complex
• Visitor screening facilities
• Secret Service infrastructure improvements
• Funding linked to the ballroom construction site

Several Republican senators criticized the plan as politically damaging during a time when voters remain focused on inflation and affordability.

Bill Cassidy questioned the timing of the request.

“People can’t afford groceries and gasoline and healthcare, and we’re going to do a billion dollars for a ballroom?” Cassidy said.

Meanwhile, Thom Tillis called the proposal “a bad idea,” warning it fueled criticism about a “billion-dollar ballroom.”

DOJ settlement fund creates new controversy

The bigger complication emerged after the Trump administration announced a nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” tied to Trump’s settlement with the IRS.

The fund is intended to compensate people who claim they were politically targeted or unfairly prosecuted.

Senate Republicans met Thursday with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss potential restrictions on the program.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said lawmakers wanted assurances that the fund would be “fenced in appropriately.”

Many senators remain concerned about:

• Who qualifies for compensation
• Potential payouts to Jan. 6 defendants
• Lack of clear oversight
• Political fallout ahead of midterm elections

Democrats prepare amendment fight

Democrats quickly seized on the controversy and prepared amendments designed to either block the settlement fund entirely or restrict who can receive payments.

One proposed amendment would ban compensation for individuals convicted of assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of prioritizing Trump’s political interests over everyday Americans.

“Ballroom Republicans are not working for you,” Schumer said. “They are busy fighting for Trump.”

Democrats from both chambers gathered at the Capitol Thursday to publicly oppose the legislation and pressure vulnerable Republicans.

Trump clashes with Senate Republicans

As tensions escalated, Trump publicly criticized Senate Republicans on social media Wednesday.

The president urged GOP lawmakers to:

• Fire Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough
• End the Senate filibuster
• Pass stricter election legislation
• Advance his immigration agenda more aggressively

Trump warned Republicans to “get smart and tough” or risk losing their jobs.

Still, many Senate Republicans continue resisting Trump’s long-standing demands to eliminate the filibuster, which requires 60 votes for most legislation.

Paxton endorsement fuels Republican frustration

Complicating matters further, Trump recently endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn.

The endorsement angered several GOP senators who fear Cornyn’s defeat could weaken Republican chances in the general election.

Behind closed doors, some senators reportedly expressed frustration with Trump’s growing pressure campaign against members of his own party.

Immigration funding remains centerpiece

Despite the internal fighting, Republicans are still attempting to secure major funding increases for:

• ICE
• Border Patrol operations
• Immigration detention capacity
• Enforcement infrastructure

Because Democrats oppose the broader immigration crackdown, Republicans are using the budget reconciliation process to bypass the Senate filibuster and pass the package with a simple majority.

However, the legislation still requires:

• Approval from the Senate parliamentarian
• Near-total Republican unity
• Final House approval

For now, GOP leaders appear increasingly likely to miss Trump’s June 1 target deadline as disagreements inside the party continue to grow.