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The top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives slammed a provision tucked in a spending bill to reopen the federal government that allows U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. and seven other senators to sue the government. The House leader characterized the measure as a “slush fund” that takes taxpayer funds away from the American people. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., was referring to a provision that will let Tuberville and seven other Republican senators sue the federal government for at least $500,000 apiece because they were not notified that their phone records were accessed as part of then-special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Jan. 6. Efforts to reach Tuberville were not successful. The provision is retroactive to 2022, meaning Tuberville will be able to sue the government for his phone records being accessed in the Jan. 6 case since that occurred in 2023. “We are talking about a multi-million dollar slush fund that is in this bill for eight Republican senators, who apparently believe they’re part of the House of Lords. Because that’s something that would be done if you think you’re a lord, not someone who is subject to the rule of law. That’s extraordinary to me,” Jeffries said Wednesday. “And unfortunately, it appears that despite how outrageous this provision is, my Republicans colleagues are prepared to vote for it … while at the same period of time can’t find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits,“ Jeffries told reporters. ”This is real time corruption that’s on full display. A full-time, million-dollar slush fund for eight Republican senators that every single House Republican is apparently prepared to sign off on. And if you vote for it, you own it." The Democratic leader said the provision will be a key component of his party’s talking points on the shutdown bill. “And we’re gonna tattoo that provision just like we’re gonna tattoo the Republican health care crisis on the foreheads of every single House Republican who dares vote for this bill,” Jeffries said. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., introduced an amendment to prevent the provision from being included in the bill. Raskin suggested the provision was unfair and noted that Republicans did not allow compensation for Capitol Police officers assaulted and wounded on Jan. 6. “You know how much money the majority in Congress has given their families? Zero,” Raskin said. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called the provision “outrageous.” “It creates a new offense, tailored perfectly to allow Trump to write a government check of millions of dollars to 8 Republican Senators,” Murphy tweeted. “GOP Leader Thune just made 8 of his colleagues rich. Off taxpayer money.”
