The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to repeal a controversial provision in the recently passed government shutdown bill that would have allowed Republican senators whose phone records were seized by former special counsel Jack Smith to sue the federal government. The measure, known as ‘Requiring Senate Notification for Senate Data,’ was included in the bill at the last minute by Senate leaders and sparked significant backlash from both parties, highlighting the deepening political tensions between the House and Senate.
Despite supporters arguing that the provision was necessary to allow senators to seek recourse against overreach by the executive branch, the measure was ultimately rejected, with the House voting 426 to 0 to remove it. The decision underscored the ongoing political tensions between the House and Senate, with both parties expressing frustration over the last-minute inclusion of the measure.
The provision, which would have enabled senators targeted in Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost investigation to sue the U.S. government for up to $500,000, was placed into the bill by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and given the green light by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. However, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole expressed concern that the addition could derail the final vote to end the shutdown. He noted that the provision was added without the House’s knowledge and raised questions about the level of trust between the two chambers.
While several Senate Republicans distanced themselves from the issue amid the uproar, others, including Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, remained supportive of the measure. Graham stated he would pursue a lawsuit for ‘tens of millions of dollars,’ while Cruz refused to support its repeal. Senate Majority Leader Thune also defended the provision, emphasizing the need for accountability for the Senate as an institution and individual members. The decision to repeal the provision highlights the delicate balance between legislative priorities and the political tensions that often accompany major legislative efforts.