CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE LEADS DEBATE ON LEGISLATION TO PREVENT MILLION-DOLLAR PAYOUTS TO U.S. SENATORS

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle (D, NY-25) led the debate of H.R. 6019 on the floor of the House of Representatives. This legislation would repeal a provision enacted in the recent government funding package that creates a special cause of action for eight Republican U.S. Senators to sue the federal government for millions of dollars of taxpayer funds.

An excerpt from Congressman Morelle’s opening remarks is linked here and can be found below—as prepared for delivery:

“If these Republican senators genuinely believe their civil liberties were violated, or if they are interested in changing the law relating to subpoenas, then they are better positioned than literally anyone on Earth to hold hearings, draft legislation, and debate proposed changes in the open.

“But that’s not what this is about. This is about ensuring the law applies to everyone else—just not to them.

“This kind of self-serving, self-dealing, one-sided get rich quick scheme is why Americans are so disgusted with this Republican Congress. And it’s why I expect many of those who supported this provision will be dismissed next November.

“This lucrative carve-out masquerading as legislation isn’t an isolated occurrence. It’s part of a broader pattern: the weaponization of the Department of Justice and U.S. Treasury to reward allies and punish perceived enemies.”

A full version of Congressman Morelle’s opening remarks are available here.

The entire floor debate of H.R. 6019 can also be found here.

This is a component of Congressman Morelle’s broader effort to combat corruption in Washington and restore public trust in U.S. government.

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