Furious Graham Warns Speaker Johnson Over Trump-Backed Spending Bill

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Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on Friday threatened to block a government funding package supported by President Donald Trump and Senate Democrats — raising the possibility of a partial federal shutdown as lawmakers work against a looming deadline.
Graham said he was frustrated by language in a House-backed version of the funding bill that would repeal a provision allowing senators whose phone records were subpoenaed in the “Arctic Frost” investigation to sue for $500,000 in damages. The South Carolina Republican criticized Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), saying the House leadership failed to consult him on changes to the bill backed by Trump and warning he would not “forget” the move.
“You could have called me about the $500,000,” Graham said. “I’d be glad to work with you. You jammed me, Speaker Johnson. I won’t forget this. I got a lot of good friends in the House. If you think I’m going to give up on this, you really don’t know me.”
Graham said discussions with the White House had become tense, and indicated he was prepared to withhold support for the broader package unless there were votes on additional measures, including expanding eligibility for those affected by past federal investigations and legislation tied to sanctuary city cooperation.
“I’ve been told the White House doesn’t like this, and I told the White House last night, ‘I don’t care if you like it or not.’ I literally texted my friends at the White House, ‘If I were you, I would not call me tonight,’” he said.