The legislation that Congress is considering to end the U.S. government’s longest shutdown contains a provision that would give several Republican Senators large payments tied to an investigation by the Biden Administration into the Capitol hack on Jan. 6.
According to Reuters, the provision retroactively makes it illegal for federal investigators to obtain a senator’s phone data without notifying them. According to Reuters, the provision retroactively prohibits federal investigators from obtaining a senator’s phone records without their consent.
According to the law, the Justice Department can choose to settle lawsuits instead of contesting them in court.
In a press release, Senator Marsha BLACKBURN (R-TN), said: “We won’t rest until justice has been served and all those involved in the weaponization of our government have to answer for their actions.” Blackburn voted for the bill along with Lindsey Graham, Bill Hagerty, Josh Hawley and Tommy Tuberville.
Democrats condemned the provision and accused Republicans of slipping in what they called a windfall funded by taxpayers. Democrats wrote: “No cents for health care but Republicans have written in a corrupt bonus cash of at least 500k per person.” Senator Patty Murray, D-WA wrote this on Twitter.
These disputed documents were linked to the investigation by Special Counsel Jack Smith into Trump’s attempts to reverse 2020 election results. The case never reached trial, despite the fact that Trump had been charged. Multiple legal challenges delayed the proceedings, but Smith dropped prosecution of Trump after his 2024 election victory. He cited a Justice Department policy that prohibits prosecuting an incumbent president. Smith stated in a report that the collected evidence would have sufficed to convict Trump if the case had gone to trial.
This funding bill is the first major movement by Congress since the beginning of the shutdown on October 1st. Standoff began over Democratic attempts to extend the health insurance subsidies created under Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans were opposed and demanded a “clean funding bill” without additional spending measures. Both sides were under increasing public pressure after weeks of impasse as the shutdown entered its 42ndday.
Hunderts of thousands of federal employees have either been furloughed, or they are forced to work without pay. SNAP programs have been affected, as well as national parks, government offices, and museums across the nation. This disruption also affected airports and caused small businesses that depend on federal contracts, to reduce their spending.
Senate deal approved by the Senate would allow the government to reopen until the end of 2026. The deal now goes to the House where Democrats have already voiced their strong opposition against the clause relating to Jan. 6 and to the lack of health care provisions. Republicans argue that the first priority is to stop the shutdown, restore the basic functions, and leave the spending discussions for later negotiations.
The shutdown is estimated to have cost the U.S. Economy billions of dollars each week due to lost productivity and late payments. Experts warn, however, that while some of these losses may be recoverable in the future for small businesses or government services.
The shutdown is now in its seventh week. This latest bill represents progress, but also renewed controversy. It could be the end of the longest government closure ever, and it’s a battle between the two parties over justice or political expediency.
