GOP Senators Slip Provision to Let Them Sue the Government for Subpoenaing Phone Records in Jan 6 Case Into Spending Bill

"Republican senators inserted a clause into the new, shutdown-ending government funding bill that could allow them to personally claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money if they prove their phone records were improperly seized during the Biden-era Justice Department's investigation into January 6. The provision, part of the legislative branch appropriations bill for 2026, was inserted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), according to Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who said he was among those targeted by former special counsel Jack Smith's inquiry."

"Under the new language, any senator whose data was obtained without proper notification could sue the federal government for damages of at least $500,000 per violation. Democrats say the measure was added at the last minute without consultation. Republicans argue the change is a necessary safeguard after revelations that phone metadata, although not call contents, of several GOP senators was collected in Smith's probe of the 2020 election."

"The data requests were approved by Chief Judge James Boasberg, who is now facing impeachment calls from Trump allies. This is precisely what's wrong with the Senate, fumed Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), the top Democrat on the subcommittee overseeing the bill. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) called the move outrageous and a reason the bill shouldn't pass. Critics, including Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), warn the clause effectively gives lawmakers a financial windfall with very little oversight, while insulating them from scrutiny."

Republican senators added a clause to the 2026 legislative branch appropriations bill enabling any senator whose data was obtained without proper notification to sue the federal government for at least $500,000 per violation. The change was inserted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune after revelations that phone metadata of several GOP senators was collected during the Biden-era Justice Department special counsel probe into January 6. Democrats say the provision was slipped in at the last minute without consultation and warn it could produce a taxpayer-funded windfall and insulate lawmakers from scrutiny. Republicans describe the measure as a necessary safeguard against DOJ targeting.

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