Senate Republicans Face Backlash Over Controversial J6 Payout Plan

URGENT UPDATE: A controversial proposal allowing Senate Republicans to sue the government over phone record collections tied to the January 6 investigation has sparked outrage. Prominent Democrat Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) condemned the move as “stinky” and indicative of why Americans harbor disdain for politicians.

The provision, pushed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), was tucked into a government funding bill approved on November 10, 2023. It enables senators whose phone records were collected during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the Capitol riots to claim up to $500,000 in compensation. “It stinks like sh––. It’s just stinky,” Luján told reporters, emphasizing the discontent among lawmakers and constituents alike.

The backlash intensified as the House, led by Republicans, voted unanimously to repeal the measure. “It’s $500,000 per instance, so it’s arguably millions of dollars for eight senators,” Luján noted, referencing the potential financial windfall for those involved. He praised House Republicans for their swift action, stating, “Kudos to them for moving so quickly.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), implicated in the investigation due to his ties to former President Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, defended the provision, labeling it a necessary safeguard against what he described as “the abuse of power” by the Biden administration. Cruz asserted that the move was critical to protect senators from undue governmental scrutiny.

However, the proposal’s inclusion has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle. Other Democrats, including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), expressed confidence that the Senate would ultimately remove the compensation provision from the funding bill. “It will likely be taken out in one of the must-passes budgetary bills at the end of the year,” Kaine told reporters.

Amid the controversy, Luján questioned the motives behind the payout measure. “Whether it’s Democrats or Republicans, what the hell are they up to?” he asked. He also highlighted the inconsistency in the legislation, noting that certain Republican senators were excluded from the payout consideration.

As the debate unfolds, Republican senators appear divided on how to amend the contentious provision. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) acknowledged the need for discussion, stating she was unaware of the provision’s implications during the bill’s passage. “The substance of it, I don’t argue with, but we’ll talk about it next week,” she remarked.

Democrats are working diligently to ensure the provision is rescinded, with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) condemning the payout as “outrageous.” He affirmed their commitment to overturning the measure, stating, “Oh, we’re working very hard to overturn it.”

As lawmakers head into the Thanksgiving recess, the debate surrounding this controversial payout continues to evolve. The urgency of this situation underscores the potential financial implications for senators involved and the ongoing scrutiny of political motivations in Washington.

Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.