The Senate voted Thursday on legislation related to President Trump's proposed anti-weaponization fund, with Republicans defeating Democratic attempts to prohibit the Justice Department from establishing the controversial program.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer sponsored an amendment to ban the Department of Justice from creating the $1.8 billion fund, which was designed to provide financial support to what the administration described as MAGA allies who faced what it termed political persecution. The amendment failed along largely party lines, though some Republican senators expressed concerns about the proposal.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed lawmakers earlier this week that the administration would abandon the anti-weaponization fund idea. Despite this indication from the Justice Department, Senate Republicans still voted against permanently prohibiting such a fund from being established.

The fund has drawn bipartisan criticism from some quarters. Sens. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, and Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, urged a federal judge to block the fund, arguing it presents threats to constitutional order. Their joint opposition highlights the cross-party concerns about the proposal.

Reports indicate the fund amount has varied in different descriptions, with sources citing figures ranging from $1.8 billion to $2 billion. The exact scope and implementation details of the program remained unclear as the administration has signaled it would not move forward with the initiative.

The Senate votes occurred as part of broader legislative consideration of funding for immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol, reflecting the ongoing congressional debates over Trump administration priorities and funding mechanisms.