‘You jammed me’: Lindsey Graham ends shutdown threat but warns top Republican ‘I won’t forget this’

Sen. Lindsey Graham finally stopped blocking the Senate funding package, but he made sure to publicly criticize House Speaker Mike Johnson for removing key provisions that mattered to him. Graham was upset that Speaker Johnson had removed important language about the “Arctic Frost” investigation from the House bill. 

This dispute is about some lawmakers, including Graham, having their phone records collected during former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into President Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. According to Mediaite, Graham had wanted to seek $500,000 in damages from the federal government over that data collection, but Johnson removed the provision that would have allowed them to sue.

“The House, you took the Arctic Frost language of the Senate and took it all out,” Graham said on the Senate floor. “You could have called me about the $500,000. I would be glad to work with you. You jammed me, Speaker Johnson! I won’t forget this.”

Graham’s concerns go beyond personal damages

The money wasn’t the only issue that angered Graham. He was especially upset that the Speaker removed a notification rule that would require the Executive Branch to tell members of Congress if their phone records are being looked at, unless they are already under criminal investigation. Graham believes this is common sense and a needed check on government power.

“You took the notification out, and I’m not going to give up on that,” he said. Graham argued this protects all lawmakers, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, because “We should all want to be notified as senators if a separate branch of government, the Executive Branch, is looking for our phone records unless we’re charged or investigating a crime. That’s just common sense.”

Graham eventually agreed to drop his blockade because Senate Majority Leader John Thune made a separate deal with him. Graham got a promise of a future vote on his bill to crack down on sanctuary cities, which resist the administration’s immigration policies. 

Graham has been vocal about foreign policy recently, including his stance on Caribbean nations. He also got an agreement that Congress will consider a separate bill allowing private citizens and groups caught up in the Jack Smith probe to sue the government.

The Senate finally passed the overall spending package in a 71-29 vote. This happened after President Trump made an unusual deal with Senate Democrats to avoid a shutdown. The president encouraged a “much needed Bipartisan ‘YES’ vote,” which resulted in separating out Homeland Security funding for separate debate. Some Republicans have questioned Trump’s recent Venezuela mission decisions.

This two-week extension for DHS funding came right after the deaths of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, and Renee Good, both killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. Democrats are demanding major changes before they fund DHS again long-term. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, “These are not radical demands. They’re basic standards the American people already expect from law enforcement.” 

Democrats want agents to have “masks off, body cameras on” and to coordinate with local police on arrests, ending “roving patrols.” Republicans are pushing back hard. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt said, “There no way in h— we’re going to let Democrats knee cap law enforcement and stop deportations in exchange for funding DHS.” A short, partial government shutdown is expected until the House can vote on this amended legislation.