UPDATE: Senate Republicans are facing backlash after proposing a controversial measure that could allow members to receive $500,000 in payouts for phone records collected during the January 6, 2021 investigation. Prominent Democrat Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) condemned the move as “stinky” and indicative of why the public harbors disdain for politicians.
This urgent issue arose as Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) included the provision in a bill aimed at reopening the government after the recent historic shutdown. Luján expressed his outrage, stating, “It stinks like sh––. It’s just stinky,” emphasizing that this payout could total millions for several senators, as the House swiftly voted to repeal the measure last week.
The provision enables senators whose phone records were obtained during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation to qualify for significant compensation. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), among those implicated in the investigation, argued that the amendment was necessary to protect senators from what he termed the “abuse of power” by the Biden administration’s Justice Department.
The proposed compensation sparked immediate outrage, with Luján pointing out that “the House Republicans said this was garbage and they acted so quickly.” He highlighted the absurdity of paying senators while neglecting others, questioning why some lawmakers were excluded from the legislation.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) expressed optimism that the Senate would act to eliminate the compensation provision, likely during crucial budgetary discussions at the end of the year. The political climate surrounding this issue is tense, with Democrats committed to making it uncomfortable for their Republican colleagues.
Republican senators are reportedly divided on how to proceed after the House’s unanimous rejection of the measure. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) acknowledged the process was poorly handled, stating, “I think the leaders even said, you know, maybe the process of doing it was not the best.”
Adding to the controversy, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) called the potential payouts “outrageous,” insisting that lawmakers should not be writing checks for themselves. “Oh, we’re working very hard to overturn it,” he promised, indicating a unified Democratic front against the proposal.
As lawmakers prepare for the Thanksgiving recess, the political implications of this controversy are significant. With public sentiment already low towards politicians, the urgency of this situation has never been more pronounced. With the Senate set to reconvene soon, all eyes are on how they will address this contentious issue before year-end budget deadlines.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and expect further updates on the Senate’s actions regarding the controversial provision.
