Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, told the “Todd Starnes Radio Show” on Thursday that President Trump should veto the $2 trillion coronavirus bill because it includes funding for sanctuary cities.
Fitton said the package makes it “impossible” for the Department of Justice to prohibit certain grants and government money to cities with these policies.
“It undoes one of the most important efforts by the Justice Department, under President Trump, to at least hold these sanctuary cities accountable to the rule of law,” he said.
The relief package that was passed unanimously by the Senate late Wednesday after a few days of tense negotiations in the Senate. Both sides said that the bill was not perfect, but essential in getting money into Americans’ pockets.
“I would reject it,” Fitton said. “If I were him, I’d veto it.”
GOP Rep. Andy Harris tweeted, “The Senate “emergency” bill allows sanctuary cities to receive Justice Department grants that were stopped by the Trump administration. Sanctuary jurisdictions should not get federal money-and this is NOT related to the Coronavirus economic crisis.”
There seems to be only one hurdle left for the bill and that is the House of Representatives. Some Republican lawmakers appear to be suspicious of the massive package, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears intent on passing the measure. Trump tweeted out that Americans should celebrate the bill’s Senate passage.
The Daily Caller reported that part of the legislation calls for $850 million for law enforcement. The language specifically prevents the Trump administration from withholding the funds from sanctuary cities. The website quoted the bill:
“That awards hereunder, shall not be subject to restrictions or special conditions that are the same as (or substantially similar to) those, imposed on awards under such subpart in fiscal year 2018, that forbid interference with Federal law enforcement.”