Senate lawsuit clause divides Republicans as House moves to repeal it
A controversial provision in the recent shutdown-ending bill has sparked a divide among U.S. senators. The clause allows senators to sue the government for not timely notifying them about data access, potentially yielding millions in damages. Most senators whose data was accessed in the Jan. 6 probe have distanced themselves from this provision.
Initially, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., supported the provision. However, she now backs its repeal, joining Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, who also opposes suing and supports repeal. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stands alone in his intention to 'definitely' sue the government over the issue.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., criticized the measure, advocating for accountability through public hearings instead. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., both stated they have no plans to sue, with Johnson reserving the right to do so to expose 'corrupt weaponization of federal law enforcement'.
House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to hold a vote on the House floor to repeal the provision, which applies exclusively to senators and not if they were targets of criminal investigations. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., called for special counsel Jack Smith's disbarment and threatened to sue Biden officials if he isn't.
The provision's future hangs in the balance as House Speaker Mike Johnson plans a vote to repeal it. Most senators whose data was accessed in the Jan. 6 probe have distanced themselves from the lawsuit provision, with only Sen. Lindsey Graham expressing intent to sue. The House's decision will shape the senators' legal recourse regarding their data access notifications.
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