A provision titled 'Requiring Senate Notification for Senate Data' inserted into a Legislative Branch appropriations bill would authorize U.S. senators directly targeted in Special Counsel Jack Smith's 'Arctic Frost' investigation to sue the U.S. federal government for up to $500,000 in damages.
May 20, 2025
high
policy
Describes the scope and monetary remedy authorized by a legislative provision related to targeted surveillance of senators.
The provision titled 'Requiring Senate Notification for Senate Data' authorizes a senator to bring a lawsuit against the federal government seeking monetary damages of $500,000.
high
legal
Describes the core legal entitlement created by the named provision.
The 'Requiring Senate Notification for Senate Data' provision is retroactive in nature.
high
policy
Characterizes a temporal scope of the provision as described in reporting.
The stated purpose of the 'Requiring Senate Notification for Senate Data' provision is to deter the Department of Justice from subpoenaing senators' records without first notifying those senators.
high
policy
Explains the provision's intended function regarding DOJ subpoenas and Senate notification.