The spending bill that ended the government shutdown has new restrictions on THC products, and the lone Republican representative to oppose the spending bill discusses what led to his vote.
Shutdown resolution has impacts for THC products
The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history is officially over. The House passed a funding plan Wednesday, which was then quickly signed by President Donald Trump.
Furloughed federal employees returned to work and are eagerly awaiting back pay from the multiple paychecks they missed, though it’s currently unclear when the money might hit their accounts.
The bill Trump signed to reopen the government also includes a provision that significantly impacts THC products.
It criminalizes most THC-infused products on the market today. That includes hemp or synthetic products like Delta-8.
Any product containing more than .4 milligrams of total THC will be illegal.
Some local hemp shop owners say this could have a significant impact on their business. Proponents of the legislation say it will help keep kids safe.
It’s not the end of the road, though. There is a one-year delay in implementing the provisions, which means Congress could debate this further and come up with new regulations.
The Florida legislature passed a bill in 2024 that would have closed the farm bill loophole but ultimately Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the proposal.
Lone GOP opponent to spending bill discusses his vote
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says his chamber will vote next week to repeal a provision in the shutdown deal that allows senators to sue the Department of Justice if they seize or subpoena data without notifying them.
The bill is a unique advantage for eight Republican senators whose phone records were collected as part of former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6 attack.
When asked about the provision, which was tucked into the bill to reopen the government, Johnson said he knew nothing about it.
“I found out about it last night. I was surprised. I was shocked by it, and I was angry about it, to be honest,” Johnson said.
The bill entitles senators to $500,000 for each violation of the provision, and it prevents the government from invoking immunity in response to any claims.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters yesterday he plans to sue.
All Florida Democrats voted against the continuing resolution, and Rep. Greg Stuebe was the only Republican to vote against the proposal. He said that he voted that way because he is opposed to the late addition allowing senators to sue.
He shares his reasoning with Political Connections.
Ybeth Bruzual, Holly Gregory, Phillip Stucky, Jason Delgado, Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press
Source link