UPDATE: Senate Republicans are facing intense backlash over a controversial measure that could allow members to sue the government for up to $500,000 due to phone records obtained during the January 6, 2021 investigation. Prominent Democrat, Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), condemned the move as “stinky” and indicative of why many Americans dislike politicians.
The provision, pushed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), was included in a bill aimed at reopening the government following a record-breaking shutdown. Sen. Luján expressed his outrage, stating, “It’s just stinky. There’s a reason why the House Republicans said this was garbage and they acted so quickly.” The House, controlled by Republicans, voted unanimously last week to repeal the measure.
Under the Senate measure, passed on November 10, senators whose phone records were collected during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s inquiry could qualify for substantial payouts. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), one of the senators under investigation for his ties to the events of January 6, justified the provision as essential for protecting senators from alleged overreach by the Biden administration. He characterized the situation as “Joe Biden’s Watergate,” demanding “real teeth” in any prohibitions against the Department of Justice.
The proposed payouts have sparked widespread outrage. Sen. Luján highlighted that this could entail millions of dollars for as many as eight senators, calling the situation “stupid and broken.” He noted that the Republican leadership’s efforts to mask such a provision under essential government funding are disingenuous.
As tensions rise, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) indicated confidence that the Senate would ultimately remove the compensation measure, likely during upcoming budget negotiations. Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) described the move as “outrageous,” emphasizing the unacceptability of legislators financially benefiting from their own political controversies.
Republican senators are reportedly divided on how to address this backlash. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) acknowledged uncertainty regarding the provision’s inclusion in the funding bill, stating, “I think the leaders even said, you know, maybe the process of doing it was not the best.”
As the situation develops, lawmakers are preparing for discussions next week, with Democrats vowing to do everything possible to overturn the controversial payout provision. The urgency surrounding this issue highlights the ongoing tensions in Washington and the deep-seated frustrations among the public regarding perceived self-serving actions by elected officials.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as legislators grapple with the fallout from this contentious provision.
