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

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-3) introduced the Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act, legislation to prohibit federal funds from being used to pay any claims submitted to the Department of Justice's newly announced Anti-Weaponization Fund.

The legislation comes one day after Fitzpatrick pressed Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for answers on the fund's legal authority, funding source, eligibility standards, and lack of congressional oversight.

The 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. In response, Fitzpatrick raised urgent concerns that nearly $2 billion in taxpayer dollars could be diverted into a discretionary compensation fund without clear congressional authorization, court approval, or transparent guardrails.

The Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act makes clear that no federal funds, including funds appropriated under Section 1304 of Title 31 of the U.S. Code, may be used for the payment of any claim submitted to the Anti-Weaponization Fund established by the Department of Justice on May 18, 2026.

"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 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."

"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 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!'"

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

Fitzpatrick's May 20 letter to Acting Attorney General Blanche can be found here.