A spending bill that eight Democrats signed off on to reopen the government would allow senators to sue for as much as $500,000 when their devices or accounts are searched without notice.

Tucked in the legislative branch funding bill passed by the Senate on Monday is a provision that would pave the way for Republican senators to sue the government over the Biden administration’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, which involved the Jack Smith-led FBI obtaining the phone records of nine conservative lawmakers.

Under the measure, it would be a violation of the law if a senator were not notified about a search of their devices or accounts. A 60-day delay in notification is permitted if a senator is a target of a criminal investigation.

“Any Senator whose Senate data, or the

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