Suozzi, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Block Taxpayer Dollars from funding DOJ’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund”

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today introduced the Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act, legislation to prohibit the use of federal funds for payments made through the Department of Justice's newly created "Anti-Weaponization Fund." This is the first bipartisan bill of its kind.

"This is a bipartisan bill to block the President's $1.7 billion slush fund to pay off January 6th criminals and other maladjusted minions! To allow it to continue would set a dangerous precedent," said Congressman Suozzi. "Costs are skyrocketing. Gas, groceries, utilities, healthcare-everything costs more! Instead of fixing those problems, the President seems fixated going around the Congress to settle personal scores and making Americans pay for it. I join Congressman Fitzpatrick in saying 'this is unacceptable!'"

"Congress has a constitutional responsibility to protect taxpayer dollars and oversee federal spending. Yesterday, I called on the DOJ to explain where this money is coming from, who may receive it, and under what authority this fund was created. Today, we are acting," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "The Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act ensures federal funds cannot be used for this fund without the transparency, oversight, and legal safeguards the American people deserve. Taxpayer dollars will not become a discretionary payout fund. Transparency is not optional. Accountability is not negotiable."

The bipartisan legislation reflects growing concerns about executive overreach and the use of taxpayer dollars without congressional authorization or oversight. The bill reinforces Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending and seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 18, 2026, that the U.S. Department of Treasury would direct $1.776 billion to an account for the sole use of the Anti-Weaponization Fund. This Anti-Weaponization fund would be used to pay individuals who claim to be victims of government "weaponization" or "lawfare." Notably, this would include January 6^th rioters who assaulted Capitol Police Officers during their attempted coup of the Capitol. Moreover, this legislation included provisions that would disallow President Trump, his family, or his businesses from being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act makes clear that no federal funds may be used for the payment of any claim submitted to the Anti-Weaponization Fund.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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