Opinion | A Senators-Only Right to Sue in Shutdown Deal

The recent legislation to reopen the government has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding the exclusive legal power granted to senators to sue the government. This provision has been criticized as it undermines the principle that such rights should be universal. In a related context, a funding bill also allows senators to challenge government actions, such as unauthorized searches of their phone records during investigations into the Capitol riot. Speaker Mike Johnson has labeled the government shutdown as 'pointless and foolish,' highlighting the broader frustrations with legislative actions that prioritize political maneuvering over public accountability.