House Ties Government Funding to Blocking $500K Lawsuits Against U.S.

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to link a major government funding bill with a controversial legal change. The move directly challenges a recent Senate measure. Lawmakers attached a repeal of a new Senate provision to a critical $1.2 trillion spending package. This package must pass to avoid a partial government shutdown. The Senate provision, originally added by Republican senators, would allow members of Congress to sue the executive branch for withholding documents. If successful, a lawmaker could collect up to $500,000 in damages from U.S. government funds. By voting to repeal this measure and tying it to essential funding, the House creates a significant obstacle. The Senate must now decide whether to accept the repeal to secure the funding bill's passage. The funding package covers several major government departments. Congress has until a Friday deadline to pass it and keep those agencies operating.