“I do not support the weaponization fund as it has been described. I do not believe individuals that were convicted of violence against police officers on Jan. 6 should be entitled to reimbursement of their legal fees.
Officials
Recent statements
“I did raise that issue [about people who assaulted law enforcement potentially receiving payments], and that seemed to be what he was saying, but we haven't seen language.
“There is nothing good about this. If Donald Trump wants to reward his political friends or the people who attacked the Capitol on January 6th, let him do it with his own money — he's got plenty of it. And he should not be using the taxpayers' money. This is corruption, pure and simple.
“I sense broad, bipartisan feelings on Capitol Hill that this is an outrageous slush fund for the president — almost $2 billion being spent in a completely secret manner with decisions made outside of Congress.
“After my exchange with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche today, I do not support the creation of the proposed Anti-Weaponization Fund. No court has approved the settlement agreement and that is why the legal basis for the fund was my first line of questioning for the Attorney General.
“Further military action against Iran must have a clear mission, achievable goals, and a defined strategy for bringing the conflict to a close. I voted to end the continuation of these military hostilities at this time until such a case is made.
“That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement. Congress must assert its constitutional authority here.
“The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. An indefinite naval blockade of a sovereign nation is an act of war. I will continue to insist that the president seek congressional authorization for actions of this magnitude.
“I have been clear from the beginning of this military operation that the President's power is not unlimited as Commander in Chief, as the Constitution gives Congress an essential role in matters of war and peace. If this conflict exceeds the 60 days specified in the War Powers Act, or if the President deploys troops on the ground, I believe that Congress should have to authorize those actions.
“This shutdown has caused chaos at our airports, delayed assistance to communities hit by disasters, and forced thousands of essential frontline employees at TSA, at the Coast Guard, at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, to work without any guarantee of when they will be paid. The American people need to know that the Democrats created this chaos when they walked away from the bipartisan, fully-negotiated DHS funding bill.
“My vote against this bill stems primarily from the harmful impact it will have on Medicaid, affecting low-income families and rural health care providers like our hospitals and nursing homes.