Senate’s Controversial New Law Faces Repeal After Bipartisan Backlash

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives voted unanimously on Wednesday to repeal a controversial new law that allows senators to sue the federal government for $500,000 if their personal data is accessed without their knowledge. The bill passed with a 426-0 vote, reflecting a bipartisan consensus against the measure.

Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat from New Mexico, initiated the repeal effort. He criticized the law, which was included in a recent funding package, as unfairly benefiting selected lawmakers. “This kind of self-serving, self-dealing, one-sided get rich scheme at the expense of taxpayers is why Americans are so disgusted with this Congress,” Heinrich stated.

The new law mandates that service providers must notify senators if their data is seized or subpoenaed. Additionally, it enables senators to sue for damages retroactively to 2022. This provision came to light after investigations revealed that the FBI analyzed phone records of several senators amid an inquiry into alleged election interference.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a vocal supporter of the law and one of the targeted lawmakers, blocked the repeal effort on the Senate floor. “I want to let you know I’m going to sue, and it’s going to be a hell of a lot more than $500,000,” Graham remarked, defending the law as necessary for accountability.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune added the lawsuit provision to the funding bill, asserting it addresses violations of congressional rights by federal agencies. However, many lawmakers expressed disbelief that such a self-serving measure was inserted into critical legislation aimed at preventing government shutdown.

The backlash included comments from House Republicans and Democrats alike, with Rep. Austin Scott calling it the “most self-centered, self-serving piece of language” he’s encountered. Critics questioned whether such a law should even exist, fearing it might encourage irresponsible financial claims against taxpayer funds.

Despite the House’s overwhelming support for the repeal, uncertainty remains in the Senate regarding its future. Thune himself indicated no one intended to benefit personally from the law, proposing that any damages collected should be forfeited to the U.S. Treasury.

“This is really outrageous,” Graham said, objecting to the characterization of the law as self-serving. He referenced the legal battles over his phone records and vowed to continue pursuing justice, regardless of the bipartisan call for repeal.

The proposed repeal arrives at a contentious time as both parties grapple with the implications of the law, with hopes of revisiting the matter in the near future.