Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee voted unanimously to block an amendment to a bill that would prevent child sex offenders who were pardoned by Donald Trump from receiving payment from a newly established $1.8 billion slush fund that Trump's personal attorney Todd Blanche agreed to have the government create as part of the settlement involving a member of the Trump led IRS during his first term having leaked part of Trump's tax returns.

JUST NOW: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) asks Todd Blanche about a pardoned Jan 6 rioter who offered a molestation victim a payoff (from a forthcoming Trump reparations fund) ... for silence

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-- Scott MacFarlane (@macfarlanenews.bsky.social) 10:25 AM · May 19, 2026