Senators divided over government payout for Biden Justice Dept. spying on their phone records

Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB), announced that the league will fully cooperate with a Senate inquiry regarding its investigations into gambling practices. This commitment comes in response to requests for information related to the ongoing probes into sports gambling scandals.

Congress has passed a measure aimed at reversing the Alaskan petroleum reserve plan established during the Biden administration. The legislation will now be sent to former President Trump for his consideration.

The House voted to repeal a controversial provision included in a Senate-crafted bill that ended the government shutdown. This provision could have allowed certain GOP senators to claim up to $500,000 in taxpayer-funded damages. The decision follows bipartisan backlash against the provision, which was perceived as a potential financial windfall for lawmakers.

The Senate has expressed bipartisan outrage over a recently passed provision in a spending bill that would permit lawmakers to sue the federal government for substantial financial compensation. This provision has been criticized as a 'cash grab' by senators who are concerned about its implications.

The Trump administration's Interior Department has proposed reviving changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations that were initially made during Trump's first term and later reversed by President Biden. These changes aim to roll back protections for endangered species and their habitats.

Interim US Attorney Lindsey Halligan suggested that the Biden-appointed judge overseeing the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey violated judicial conduct rules by questioning if she was a 'puppet' of President Trump.

The Senate is progressing on a bill aimed at clarifying oversight of the cryptocurrency industry, with the release of the second half of the draft legislation. However, significant policy questions remain as lawmakers work towards passing the bill early.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Wednesday dismissed the House GOP's efforts to repeal a provision in the government shutdown bill that would allow senators to sue the Justice Department over phone surveillance. Thune argued that the provision, which grants Republican senators the ability to seek $500,000 in damages, was narrowly focused and unnecessary.