In Congress, GOP loyalty to Trump being tested on multiple fronts

In a closely divided Congress where the fate of legislation often rests on just one or two members in either chamber, Trump’s fellow Republicans have largely backed his legislative priorities. There have always been a few exceptions, like Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie. During Trump’s second term, Massie pushed for the release of the Epstein files, vocally opposed US military support for Israel, and repeatedly voted against Trump’s spending priorities, particularly military spending.

This week, a Trump-backed candidate defeated Massie in the GOP primary in Kentucky. This was the most expensive House primary in US history, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and affiliated groups spending at least $9 million to defeat Massie. While this was certainly a political victory for Trump. However, Massie still has 7 months in office and is now one of a small but growing number of sitting Republicans who now feel they have nothing to lose by bucking Trump. Some, like Massie, have lost primaries while others fear that backing parts of Trump’s agenda could cost them in the November midterms. There are several contentious issues before Congress right now where these lawmakers could create significant stumbling blocks, even before the midterms.

Iran

Democrats in both the House and the Senate have introduced war powers resolutions which would require Trump to seek approval from Congress for any further military action against Iran. The war has proven to be unpopular with a sizeable majority of Americans and is causing financial pain for Americans that will only grow until a settlement is reached. A handful of House Republicans – concerned about the impact of further war on their constituents – signaled that they would back the measure. This forced the House GOP leadership to postpone the vote. The Senate is advancing a similar bill, with support from a few Republicans.

Billion dollar ballroom

Trump has devoted much of his attention to his massive an controversial White House ballroom project. While Trump has repeatedly insisted that the entire project will be privately funded, he has asked for a taxpayer funded increase of $1 billion for security for the White House campus, including the ballroom. Trump has touted the ballroom’s security features and said the complex will extend 6 stories underground to accommodate secure military installations.

Members of Congress, including some Republicans, have recoiled from the price tag for such a project, in an election year and in the midst of an economic downturn. Moreover, Trump has demanded the funding be attached to a bill to fund Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Despite the Senate parliamentarian barring inclusion of this provision, Trump continues to insist, stymying passage of the entire bill.

$1.8 billion “weaponization” fund

Today, the Senate GOP canceled a vote on the above-mentioned immigration enforcement funding after Trump insisted on also including $1.8 billion for payouts to his political allies who Trump claims were victims of a “weaponized” Justice Department under President Biden. For example, supporters of Trump who were prosecuted for their violent conduct during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot could potentially receive payouts from this fund.

This brought considerable backlash from Republican members of Congress, who emerged from a meeting with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appearing frustrated. The Department of Justice signed off on this $1.8 billion fund as part of a settlement to get Trump to drop a suit against the IRS. Incidentally, the terms of this settlement also “forever” bars the IRS from auditing past tax claims against Trump, his family, and his companies.

After the meeting, Blanche told reports about a “depth of feeling” among Republican lawmakers against the fund and at least some of its intended recipients. Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (who is serving out his term but won’t seek another) expressed his feelings bluntly: “The nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops?”

Massie introduces bill requiring AIPAC lobbyists to register as foreign agents under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Democrats push to rein in Trump on Cuba as military threats continue.

Police officers who guarded the Capitol on Jan. 6 sue to stop Trump’s “weaponization” fund.