Senator Lindsey Graham Blocks Effort to Repeal Provision Allowing Senators to Sue for Unauthorized Phone Record Searches

Senator Lindsey Graham Blocks Effort to Repeal Provision Allowing Senators to Sue for Unauthorized Phone Record Searches

Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina blocked a Democrat-led effort to repeal a provision that allows senators to sue for $500,000 if federal investigators search their phone records without their knowledge. Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico sought to approve the measure after it was passed by the House, criticizing the provision as a misuse of taxpayer funds. The new law requires service providers to notify senators if their phone records are seized or subpoenaed, with a retroactive provision allowing senators to sue for violations dating back to 2022. Graham, whose phone records were subpoenaed, objected to the bill, questioning the legality of the subpoena and seeking clarification on the process from Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Thune proposed an amendment to ensure that any damages awarded under the law would be forfeited to the United States Treasury, emphasizing accountability over personal profit.