Several Republican senators are backing away from a new law that would allow them to sue the government for millions of dollars if their phone records were accessed as part of the January 6 investigation. The law, which was included in the shutdown-ending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump, grants senators the ability to sue the government and potentially receive up to $500,000 per instance.
Some notable Republicans have rejected the provision, including Sens. Ron Johnson (Wisc.), Bill Hagerty (Tenn.), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.).
However, Sen. Lindsey Graham has said he plans to sue the government under the provision, calling it “painful” and stating that he wants to make sure no one else can use the law like this again.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced a plan to hold a vote on the House floor to repeal the provision, which was inserted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune. It is not yet clear what will happen in the Senate, where the language of the provision is seen as a “member-driven” effort.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-senators-distance-provision-allowing-sue-phone-record-searches-rcna243902