Republican congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) scorched President Donald Trump’s $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” during a CNN appearance Saturday, calling for Congress to take action.
The fund, criticized as a slush fund to benefit the president’s allies, has created a major rift among GOP senators.
“That’s why we’re stopping it. That’s why we’re not going to let it happen. It’s absurd on its face,” Fitzpatrick told host Michael Smerconish. “I think everybody that’s … viewing this through objective eyes knows that it’s absurd.”
He continued, “And it’s our job in Congress to not just sit by. We’ve got to step forward and reclaim our authority under Article I, especially when it comes to appropriations. That’s chiefly the responsibility of the constitutional authority of Congress.”
Fitzpatrick has joined an increasing number of Republicans decrying the fund, which was created after Trump sued the IRS over an unlawful release of his tax returns. He said the American people get to decide on what “comes in and out” of the government.
“And if the American taxpayer dollar is being used in a way that the American taxpayer does not consent to and does not approve of … it’s our job to make sure that we ask the questions, identify what the source is, so we can nip this problem in the bud,” added Fitzpatrick.
The Pennsylvania Republican has some tense history with Trump, who on Wednesday called out Fitzpatrick’s relationship with Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich after Trump said votes against him usually don’t “work out well” for Republicans and that Fitzpatrick “votes against me all the time.”
Fitzpatrick addressed the exchange between Trump and Heinrich on Saturday.
“You know, everybody is entitled to speak their mind and offer their opinions,” he said. “And I certainly respect everybody’s right to do that. It’s my job to represent my district … and I’m going to do my job. I’ve heard from and talked to many people about this issue.”
Fitzpatrick continued, “They’ve made clear where they stand and I’m going to reflect their voice on the floor of the House and through legislation that we are introducing. I think the bigger question is what impact will it have on the actions of members of Congress who are subject to all sorts of criticisms from all different people?”
