Senate Majority Leader John Thune proposed Thursday to amend a contentious provision from the recent government funding bill that could have led to GOP senators receiving significant payouts for the unauthorized seizure of their phone records. This measure, which emerged as part of a broader investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, would ensure that any compensation resulting from the provision is redirected to the U.S. Treasury rather than enriching individual lawmakers. The offer comes amid growing scrutiny over the provision’s implications, with the House having already voted unanimously to repeal the legislative language just 24 hours prior.
Thune’s proposal, presented on the Senate floor, aimed to clarify that any financial awards would not personally benefit the senators. However, the proposal faced considerable resistance, particularly from Democratic leaders like Sen. Martin Heinrich. Heinrich, the ranking member of the legislative branch appropriations subcommittee, strongly opposed Thune’s approach, arguing that the law itself needed comprehensive changes rather than a Senate-specific resolution. Heinrich further highlighted the broader political context, pointing out that the provision’s retroactive effects were still a matter of debate, especially as 22 million Americans faced potential health insurance premium hikes due to the expiration of the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
The controversy surrounding the provision intensified following a tense GOP lunch meeting where Thune faced backlash from his own members for lacking advance notice of the measure. The discussion within the party led to swift efforts to revise the legislative language. Despite these internal efforts, the Senate floor remained divided, with no agreement to adopt Thune’s amendment. Instead, the Senate proceeded with the House-led repeal effort, which required unanimous consent and faced challenges from Republican senators like Lindsey Graham. Graham, who had been subpoenaed by former special counsel Jack Smith, expressed his intention to pursue legal action against the provision, emphasizing that he would not allow Democratic influence to shape his legal fate.
Thune’s proposal did not alter the underlying statutory language but sought to create a binding resolution within the Senate. However, the lack of consensus on the floor underscored the deep political divide over the issue. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who had negotiated the language with Th, endorsed the repeal. Graham’s opposition and his public comments reflect the broader ideological tensions within the Republican Party, highlighting the ongoing debate over executive oversight, legal accountability, and the handling of sensitive government-related investigations.