Key facts
- Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire this week.
- Democrats are skeptical about renewing FISA due to concerns of "weaponization" by intelligence agencies.
- Concerns about FISA weaponization are heightened by the prospect of a future Trump administration.
- President Trump's selection of Bill Pulte as chief intelligence adviser may jeopardize FISA renewal.
- Republican lawmakers are increasingly defying Donald Trump on issues like Iran policy and Ukraine aid.
- A bill to deregulate U.S. housing construction is under negotiation by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson's offices.
- Top Republicans have secured earmark funding from the THUD and Interior committees.
- The House of Representatives will vote on a bill to alter leadership selection for the Library of Congress, GPO, and Copyright Office.
- Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz urged former President Trump to dismantle UNRWA.
- Donald Trump's approval rating has reached a new low in a recent poll.
- Capitol Hill has been silent on disruptive NIL policies.
Capitol Hill is bracing for a significant week marked by legislative deadlines and evolving political alliances. A central issue is the impending expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on June 12. Democrats have voiced strong skepticism regarding its reauthorization, citing fears that intelligence agencies could "weaponize" surveillance provisions, especially if Donald Trump returns to the presidency. This concern is amplified by President Trump's recent selection of Bill Pulte as chief intelligence adviser, which two U.S. lawmakers believe could jeopardize the renewal of Section 702. Republicans are also navigating internal party dynamics, with some lawmakers increasingly defying Donald Trump on policy matters. These instances include disagreements over Iran policy, opposition to Trump's proposed "anti-weaponization" fund, and the passage of a Ukraine aid bill that Trump is expected to veto. This defiance suggests a potential shift in the Republican party's alignment ahead of midterm elections. Separately, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson's offices are engaged in negotiations for a bicameral bill aimed at deregulating U.S. housing construction, though specific details remain undisclosed. Top Republicans have also successfully secured significant earmark funding from the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Interior committees, with further allocation details anticipated. In other legislative actions, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this week on a bill proposed by Representative Morgan Griffith that would alter the leadership selection process for the Library of Congress, the Government Publishing Office, and the Copyright Office. Meanwhile, Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz are urging former President Trump to advocate for dismantling UNRWA and removing it from the UN budget, citing alleged complicity with terrorism against Israel. The political landscape also includes reports of Donald Trump's approval ratings hitting a new low in a recent poll, and Democrats targeting individuals like Marco Rubio in primary elections. The UK Prime Minister is also facing political challenges, including speculation about a General Election. Notably, Capitol Hill has remained unexpectedly silent on disruptive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies.