Vulnerable GOP Senators Defy Party on Reconciliation Amendments

On Thursday, Senators Susan Collins (Maine), Dan Sullivan (Alaska) and Jon Husted (Ohio) joined Democrats in voting against party leadership on amendments to $70 billion budget reconciliation package. The measures targeted insurance-company oversight, William Pulte’s dual role as acting DNI, a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund, and a $1 billion White House ballroom project.

The Hill

The reconciliation bill funds immigration enforcement through 2029 and bundles provisions, allowing senators to propose amendments that could alter the bill. Defeating the insurance amendment would have sent the bill to the Judiciary Committee; blocking Pulte’s appointment would have barred a DNI; banning the anti-weaponization fund would stop a DOJ “slush fund”; and requiring congressional approval would halt ballroom construction.

The Hill

Amendments on insurance oversight (defeated 47-50), Pulte’s acting DNI role (failed 49-49 tie), the anti-weaponization fund (lost 49-50) and the White House ballroom (rejected 52-47) all fell on Thursday.

The Hill

Collins trails Democrat Graham Platner 48-43 in a UMASS/YouGov poll; Husted trails Sen. Sherrod Brown by eight points in Ohio; Sullivan trails Democrat Mary Peltola by four points in Alaska.

The Hill

Collins said she “does not know whether he has a security clearance.” Warner called Pulte’s dual appointment “insane.” McConnell warned that statutory eligibility “must be met for the DNI post.” Acting AG Todd Blanche asserted the anti-weaponization fund “is dead, period.” Democrats dismissed Blanche’s pledge as “worthless.”

The Hill

Democrats called Pulte’s selection a breach of intelligence-agency norms and labeled the anti-weaponization fund a “slush fund” that could politicize the Justice Department. They also argued the ballroom allocation represented unnecessary spending.

The Hill

No public record confirms Pulte’s security clearance, leaving his eligibility ambiguous. While Blanche pledged to abandon the anti-weaponization fund, Democrats remain skeptical of the administration’s commitment.

The Hill

• “Let’s ban insurance companies from denying or delaying medically necessary healthcare to Americans,” — Jon Ossoff, D-GA, Senator

Collins bucks GOP on amendment to address insurance companies denying medical care

• “I do not know Mr. Pulte at all. I don’t know whether he has any intelligence or military background. I don’t even know whether he has a security clearance,” — Susan Collins, R-ME, Senator

The Hill

• “The president is saying, ‘Oh don’t worry, this guy can do both the mortgage job, the housing job and the intel job.’ That’s insane,” — Mark Warner, D-VA, Senator

The Hill

• “We are not moving forward with the fund. Period,” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

The Hill

All three Republicans face November elections, and their votes are part of the ongoing debate over amendment strategies. Democrats plan to reintroduce anti-weaponization language, while the administration’s stance on Pulte’s acting DNI role remains unsettled pending nomination.

The Hill