Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt is pleased with several bills moving along in the legislative process over the last month. He’s less thrilled by President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion compensation fund for people claiming they have been politically targeted.
The fund largely benefits Trump allies who say they were mistreated during the Biden administration and it follows a settlement between Trump and the Internal Revenue Service after a leak of Trump’s tax returns. On KVOE’s Morning Show recently, Schmidt says such a move is highly unusual.
Democrats — and a few Republicans — say this nothing more than a cash grab or a slush fund for Trump allies and people convicted of involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol could be eligible for compensation. The US Department of Justice hasn’t yet said who is eligible, but applications are now streaming in. Schmidt says more work is needed.
On other matters, Schmidt says progress is being made. The Farm Bill update has passed the House and is awaiting approval in the Senate, as has the Criminal History Access Act leading to an exchange of criminal record history and other related information between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state law enforcement agencies as a way to enhance background checks for peace officers. The House has also passed the Military Construction Veterans Affairs bill, set to invest almost $160 billion in infrastructure, programs, veterans health care and benefits upon Senate approval.
