So, this week was the last week of Congressional work sessions before the President’s stated “deadline” for a reconciliation bill to be on his desk. And…Congress has gone back to their districts for the Memorial Day recess without sending such a bill to him for signature.

The timing was already going to be tight, but then yesterday, the Senate abruptly cancelled votes on the reconciliation bill after GOP disarray over the new “anti-weaponization” fund. Senators were already struggling over what do with the $1 billion security funding provision for the White House ballroom Secret Service provision, but the White House’s announcement of a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund brought things to a screeching halt. Democrats said they would offer amendments to kill the Fund and force Republicans to vote on numerous amendments during a “vote-a-rama.”

Background on the “anti-weaponization” fund (which is not about reducing nuclear weapons as I first thought it was…): earlier this week, the Justice Department announced a $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate individuals the administration says were targeted by “lawfare.” Senate Majority Leader Thune said the controversy surrounding the fund is likely to be brought up as part of the FY’27 appropriations process. Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Murray criticized the fund, and Chair Collins raised questions about the administration’s use of the Judgment Fund to finance it. Acting Attorney General Blanche said the program could accept applications from anyone, including individuals convicted in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Democrats say the money amounts to a slush fund aimed at funneling taxpayer dollars to Trump’s supporters, and even members of the GOP party have voiced public opposition, calling it “utterly stupid,” “a slush fund for punks,” and “morally wrong.”

Debate and discussion on this, and the underlying Reconciliation bill, will likely continue when Congress returns to DC in June.