House Freedom Caucus declares "complete win" after securing policy riders in shutdown deal

On Nov. 12, 2025, House Freedom Caucus leaders celebrated what they called a "complete win" after the shutdown-ending bill included three major conservative priorities: a nationwide hemp ban, FAA flight capacity caps, and a provision letting senators sue over phone-record seizures. Chair Andy Harris told CBS News the package was "fiscally good" and represented significant concessions from Senate negotiators, even as moderate Republicans and Democrats blasted the add-ons as hostage-taking that weaponized the shutdown to force through unrelated policy changes.