Senate Moves to Block Trump From Building Payout Fund

Chuck Schumer's motion needs only 50 votes to pass, and a handful of Republicans have signalled they will cross the aisle to get it there.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced the motion Wednesday to bar President Trump from establishing a personal compensation fund.
The measure requires just 50 votes to clear the Senate, a lower bar than the 60 needed to break a filibuster.
Several Republican senators have privately indicated they would support the motion, giving Democrats a potential majority.
The White House has not yet responded publicly to the vote.

The Senate moved Wednesday toward a vote on a motion that would bar President Donald Trump from creating a compensation fund, after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer formally introduced the measure on the floor.

The motion needs only 50 votes to pass — a threshold Democrats believe they can clear with support from a small number of Republican defectors who have told colleagues they back the effort.

Schumer brought the motion as a direct challenge to the administration, framing the fund as an improper use of executive authority. No fewer than a handful of Republicans have signalled to the Wail they would not oppose the measure.

The White House had not issued a formal statement as of Wednesday afternoon. Trump has not addressed the motion publicly.

Senate floor proceedings are expected to continue through the afternoon, with a final tally likely before the chamber adjourns Wednesday evening.