1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing as a deeply concerned constituent who is appalled that the new shutdown compromise bill includes a secretive provision allowing eight senators to personally sue the U.S. government for up to $500,000 over phone subpoenas issued during the Justice Department’s election-interference investigation. Why are members of Congress being granted special legal privileges and payouts at a time when the American people are suffering through a government shutdown, unpaid federal workers, and rising costs of living? This kind of self-serving language doesn’t belong in a spending bill that’s supposed to reopen the government and support the nation. You were elected to represent the people — not to rubber-stamp provisions that protect senators from legitimate investigations or enrich them with taxpayer money. This kind of legislative backroom deal erodes public trust and reeks of corruption. How is it acceptable that a few senators can secretly insert a clause into a budget bill that shields them from accountability and turns the Justice Department into their personal punching bag? I demand to know why you are allowing this to remain in the bill and whether you will publicly commit to opposing any legislation that includes personal legal privileges for members of Congress. The public deserves transparency, not hidden payoffs or political favors disguised as “compromise.” Do your job — protect the people, not the politicians.