House moves to repeal controversial ‘Arctic Frost’ provision that allows GOP senators to seek $500,000 payouts

Senate Majority Leader John Thune prepares to speak to reporters at the US Capitol on November 19, 2025, in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Image

The House on Wednesday unanimously moved to repeal a controversial provision in the government funding law that allows senators to sue the Justice Department for up to $500,000 when their phone records are seized without their knowledge.

The provision, included in the legislation that ended the historic shutdown, requires senators be notified when federal investigators access their phone records, with some exceptions. If they’re not notified, the lawmakers can sue the federal government for up to $500,000 in damages for each violation.

House members publicly wary of the measure voted 426-0 to nullify the provision. But its future rema