HEARINGS
Government pays for August blunder as Lula’s son faces scrutiny

Conservatives celebrate after approving a motion to scrutinize the finances of Lula’s eldest son. Photo: Geraldo Magela/Senate
Back in August 2025, the Lula administration’s whips in Congress botched one of the most basic prerequisites for doing their jobs: showing up on time.
Their tardiness to the inaugural sitting of a hearings committee set up to investigate rampant fraud at the National Social Security Institute (INSS) handed the opposition a momentary supermajority. Conservatives used this opportunity to seize control of the committee’s chairpersonship and rapporteurship — two positions that, between them, control witness lists, subpoenas and any eventual recommendation for indictments.
On Thursday, that blunder collected its debt, with interest…

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