Bipartisan Lawmakers Seek to Block Justice Department Fund

The bipartisan co-chairs of the House Problem Solvers Caucus introduced legislation Sunday to block the Justice Department from making payments out of a newly established $1.8 billion fund. The bill would prevent the department from disbursing any money without explicit congressional authorization.

Background on the Fund The Justice Department announced the fund last week.

It is intended to cover settlements for individuals who claim they were victimized by federal actions. The announcement drew immediate bipartisan criticism in Congress.

A Republican co-chair told ABC News that the fund bypasses the appropriations process established by the Constitution. "The issue here, Jonathan, is a statute that basically bypasses Congress," the co-chair said. "Congress appropriates money. " A Democratic co-chair said Republicans should join Democrats to stop taxpayer funds from being used for the purpose.

"It's really up to the Republicans to join with the Democrats. Everybody knows this is wrong," the co-chair said.

Blanche told a Senate committee that individuals could apply for payments but that approval was not guaranteed. Blanche said it would be "abhorrent" to compensate anyone who harmed law enforcement officers. The department has not released details on how claims would be reviewed or paid.