The funding bill to end the government shutdown includes some eyebrow-raising proposals.
What are the next steps for reopening the government?
USA TODAY’s Zachary Schermele looks at the next steps to reopen government as lawmakers move towards a solution.
WASHINGTON – A bill moving forward to end the longest U.S. government shutdown in history includes some eyebrow-raising proposals.
While most of the attention from lawmakers in recent days has focused on measures to reverse layoffs for thousands of federal workers, restart essential services and generally turn the lights on in government again, several smaller provisions in the huge funding package have spilled over into other provisions that could soon become law with President Donald Trump’s signature.
Some of the measures are bipartisan. Others even less so. And while no bills are likely to completely derail the fast-moving bills expected to pass the House on Wednesday, some of them could pose political problems.
jab at jack smith
The funding package’s most controversial measure allows a group of Republican senators to sue the government for up to $500,000.
At issue is former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into allegations of election interference after the 2020 presidential election. As part of his investigation into President Donald Trump’s actions, Smith has subpoenaed the phone records of more than a half-dozen Republican members of Congress.
None of these lawmakers have been charged, but they were recently enraged when it was revealed that their communications were part of evidence gathering. The bill includes a provision waiving the government’s immunity from lawsuits over subpoenas.
new cannabis regulations
Another element of the closure agreement closes loopholes that have allowed the unregulated sale of certain cannabis products nationwide for years.
Hemp and marijuana are derived from the same plant, cannabis, but hemp contains less THC, the compound that gets people high. The 2018 Farm Bill included a workaround that would allow hemp-derived THC products to be sold nationwide. Since then, sales have been strong.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) argued on the Senate floor Monday that new regulations included in the funding package to end the government shutdown are akin to a “prohibition order.”
Senators were evenly divided in favor of the bill across party lines. In the end, the new rules remained in the bill. The regulation is scheduled to take effect in 2026.
Security at Capitol increased after Kirk’s murder
Lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the safety of themselves, their families and staff following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Just last week, a man who threatened to kill members of Congress was arrested before entering the Senate building.
The funding package expected to be passed this week includes $203.5 million to strengthen security for lawmakers “in response to the evolving threat environment.” $30 million will be used to reimburse state and local law enforcement agencies to protect their local elected officials.
Trump Watcher Protection
The closure deal also maintains full funding for the Government Accountability Office, the federal watchdog agency that has served as a key watchdog for Republicans and Democrats in Washington for decades.
For months, the White House and some Republicans in Congress have sought to weaken the agency, which has repeatedly cited violations of federal law by Trump’s second-term administration.
Contributor: Bart Jansen, USA TODAY
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him at @ZachSchermele on X and @zachschermele.bsky.social on Bluesky..
