Perhaps more importantly, the PMO shut down the study altogether. The two staffers who threatened to sue wanted the investigation to continue. Woodcock directed senators that this was "out of the question."

"I objected to the word 'interim' and said they need to position this as the Committee's (only) report on senators' residency for expense purposes," Woodcock wrote about a meeting with David Tkatchuk, the senator in charge of the report.

Woodcock insisted there could only be one report and Tkatchuk agreed, according to the emails.

"He has committed to this and to showing me any changes they want to make to the report before it is adopted," wrote Woodcock.