Axios
The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is introducing legislation that would block a $1.8 billion fund to pay people who say they were the targets of politically-motivated prosecutions. Why it matters: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) could garner GOP support for the effort, with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) telling reporters on Wednesday he will "try to kill" the fund. "We're going to write a letter to the [attorney general] to start, but we're considering a legislative option," Fitzpatrick said. Raskin is eyeing a discharge petition as a backup option to force a vote on his measure if House Republican leadership blocks it from coming to the floor, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios. Driving the news: The bill, a copy of which was shared with Axios , stipulates that "no Federal funds may be used to create or make payments to fund" the Trump administration's "Anti-Weaponization Fund." The fund is the result of a settlement between Trump and the IRS , reached after Trump sued the agency over the leaking of his tax returns. The fund would allow anyone who has accused the federal government of politically motivated "lawfare" — such as Jan. 6 defendants — to seek compensation. Two law enforcement officers who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have sued to dissolve it . A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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