Senator Blocks Repeal of His Own Potential Multi-Million Dollar Payout
Senator Lindsey Graham, according to Bloomberg, single-handedly stifled an attempt to undo a 'controversial provision' baked into the recent government shutdown bill. This particular clause would allow Graham and several other Republican senators to sue the Justice Department over 2020 election interference probes, potentially netting them millions. It seems the 'people's business' sometimes
includes ensuring the people's representatives are well compensated for their troubles—even when those troubles are of their own making or defense. One might charitably call this 'conflict of interest,' but when the interest involves millions and the conflict is resolved by the interested party, it starts to look less like statesmanship and more like direct action capitalism. It raises questions:
Is legislating for personal profit now considered a standard perk of the job? How many other 'controversial provisions' are tucked into must-pass bills, awaiting their own quiet defense by a well-placed senator?