GOP Gridlock Threatens FISA, DHS, Farm Bill

House Republicans cannot muster enough votes to advance three must-pass measures—a three-year FISA reauthorization, a DHS funding bill, and the omnibus farm bill—after internal factions rejected the leadership’s go-it-alone plan.

The Hill

FISA, DHS appropriations, and farm policy have traditionally passed with bipartisan support. This week the GOP excluded Democrats, hoping a partisan vote would speed passage, but the move deepened intra-party splits.

The Hill

Republican leaders are Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader Jim Thune (R-SD), and Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-MO). Conservative blocs—MAHA wing, corn-state Republicans, libertarians—push for pesticide shields, year-round E-15 sales, and a CBDC ban. Democrats are organized by Jim McGovern (D-MA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Angie Craig (D-MN). The Rules Committee, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), sets the agenda.

Alternet

Section 702 of FISA expires on April 20; a fast-track vote requiring a two-thirds majority is set for May 1; a 10-day stopgap bought time for FISA talks; late-April saw intense intra-party disputes.

The Hill

A DHS funding lapse could halt employee pay in early May. Extending FISA without new warrant safeguards would keep warrantless surveillance of foreign targets, raising civil-liberties concerns. The farm bill determines farm subsidies and nutrition aid; its pesticide, E-15, and CBDC provisions could reshape agriculture and financial regulation.

The Hill

Speaker Johnson has held closed-door meetings to pressure members. Senate leader Thune warned the FISA extension is “dead on arrival” in the Senate, and Sen. John Kennedy doubts Senate support. Democrats, led by Jim McGovern, say the GOP “ices” them out. Rep. Jamie Raskin noted the 10-day extension was pursued without Democratic input, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries urged adoption of the Senate-passed bipartisan DHS bill.

The Hill

The Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan DHS funding package, but House leaders have not moved it. Republicans claim they lack Senate votes for the FISA extension; Democrats argue a compromise could have secured 290 votes. The CBDC rider’s fate remains unclear.

The Hill

• “Our team has spent too much time with approximately 10 of our members who want compromises the other 210 don’t want,” — Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)

Alternet

• “I don’t think we have the votes in the Senate,” — Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)

Alternet

• “You have a small majority and rather than working with us, you ice us out,” — Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)

The Hill

• “We went along with [the 10-day extension] because we wanted to have negotiation, but they’re not consulting the Democrats,” — Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

The Hill

The Rules Committee’s procedural rule must clear the full House before the May 1 fast-track vote. If approved, each bill faces a separate floor vote; if not, DHS funding could shut down and the farm bill and FISA extension may be sent to the Senate.

The Hill