The House of Representatives has voted to repeal a contentious provision from the government shutdown bill, which previously allowed certain Republican senators to sue the federal government over the seizure of their phone records by former special counsel Jack Smith. The measure, included in the legislation to end the 43-day government shutdown, was introduced at the last minute by Senate leaders and drew criticism from both parties for its abrupt inclusion and lack of legislative transparency. Despite initial support from some Senate Republicans, the House ultimately voted to remove the provision, with the final tally showing overwhelming bipartisan agreement. The decision reflects deepening tensions between the House and Senate as they navigate the complexities of congressional operations and legislative priorities.
The provision, dubbed