Josh Hawley distances himself from potential $1M payout over Jan. 6 records
Missouri’s senior senator has distanced himself from a controversial provision tucked into legislation to end the government shutdown that could personally net him $1 million.
The clause could award U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, and seven other Republican senators $500,000 in damages for each time their data was obtained during the Department of Justice investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Hawley, in a statement to The Star, called the provision “a bad idea,” but went on to criticize the federal investigation into the Jan. 6 attack. His spokesperson, Madeline Sieren, said Hawley supports a U.S. House-backed repeal of the clause that would award him damages.
“There needs to be accountability for the Biden DOJ’s outrageous abuse of the separation of powers, but the right way to do that is through public hearings, tough oversight, including of the complicit telecomm companies and prosecution where warranted,” Hawley said.
The provision, discreetly added in the U.S. Senate as lawmakers negotiated an end to the recent government shutdown, has been roundly criticized by lawmakers of both parties.
It allows any senator to sue the U.S. government for $500,000 per violation if investigators subpoena their phone or digital records without notice. The wording appears to apply only to Hawley and seven other GOP senators and allows a minimum of $1 million in damages per senator.
In the face of staunch blowback, the U.S. House voted last week unanimously to repeal the provision. However, it remains unclear whether the Senate will take up the legislation.
Hawley, whose records were reportedly reviewed during the investigation, said he would support the repeal if it came before the Senate.
However, his spokesperson did not respond to other questions from The Star, such as whether he was aware of the provision when he voted in favor of the bill and if he would pursue damages if the provision is left intact.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat who voted against the shutdown legislation, called the payouts a “blatantly corrupt policy” in a statement to The Star and said the U.S. Senate should take up the legislation to repeal the provision.
“As a Missourian, I am glad that Senator Hawley has taken that position, even if I strongly disagree with his inaccurate portrayal of the DOJ’s investigation into the January 6th insurrection,” Cleaver said. “The backdoor provision to enrich Republican senators is deeply unethical and disrespectful to American taxpayers.”
Hawley, a polarizing force in Missouri politics, was the first senator to announce plans to object to the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election and was widely criticized for raising his fist to protesters the morning of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack.
The Republican senator had previously said he did not support a “blanket pardon” for people who were criminally charged for their role in the Capitol attack.
However, Hawley appeared unbothered earlier this year after President Donald Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 people who were charged over their actions and commuted the sentences for 14 people who were found guilty for their role in organizing the riot.
“He said he was going to do this during the campaign and he did exactly what he said he was going to do,” Hawley said earlier this year.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM.
