Thune fires back at House GOP effort to repeal senators’ $500,000 damages provision

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Major League Baseball will cooperate with a Senate inquiry into a pitch-rigging scandal. This comes as players Emanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to federal gambling charges related to the incident.

House Democrats are urging Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the government has reopened and the deadline for ObamaCare open enrollment approaches. This call to action highlights the urgency of maintaining healthcare access amid ongoing political discussions.

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.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) is facing a censure effort in Congress led by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who plans to introduce a resolution that would require GOP leadership to act within two legislative days. This move highlights ongoing tensions within the Republican Party.

During a recent hearing, Justice Department attorneys revealed that not all grand jury members involved in the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey had seen the final version of the indictment. This admission raises significant concerns regarding the legal process and the potential for the case to be dismissed.

The U.S. Congress has formally approved the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, with the Senate voting in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation requires the Justice Department to disclose all unclassified materials concerning Epstein. The White House is now awaiting President Trump's decision on the bill, which has garnered significant bipartisan support.

The Justice Department has stated that the grand jury responsible for charging former FBI Director James Comey did not receive a copy of the final indictment. This revelation raises questions about the legal process and the integrity of the indictment.

Senator Raphael Warnock from Georgia has reportedly spent nearly $360,000 on private security over a nine-month period. This expenditure was directed towards a firm that provides armed security guards for political figures, despite Warnock's advocacy for gun control measures in Congress.