Congress returns Monday to a legislative minefield. Lawmakers will immediately confront three separate battles that could reshape the spring agenda: funding a shuttered Department of Homeland Security, voting to expel at least four members accused of sexual misconduct and ethics violations, and blocking President Donald Trump from escalating military action against Iran without congressional approval.
The DHS shutdown has now lasted 58 days, making it the longest such closure on record. Trump signed an executive order to ensure employees continue receiving paychecks, but the agency remains technically unfunded. Republicans are pushing a strategy that splits the bill: they will allow Democrats to join a bipartisan measure funding most of DHS, but plan to pass a separate, party-line bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol without Democratic support.
The approach represents a compromise after House and Senate Republicans clashed bitterly before the Easter recess. Democrats have made clear they will not vote for ICE and Border Patrol funding without substantial immigration enforcement reforms. Senate Majority Leader John Thune wants to advance a budget resolution by the end of April, which would trigger a reconciliation process allowing Republicans to bypass the Senate filibuster.
Senator Lindsey Graham, who chairs the Budget Committee, told reporters Friday that the "reconciliation train is on the tracks" after meeting with Trump. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso added that Republicans are "united and ready to deliver" on a bill by June 1. Whether the package will include military or war funding remains uncertain. Graham said it would need to be "a very tailored, focused package" to secure enough votes.
The same week also brings an April 20 deadline for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires and governs warrantless surveillance of foreigners abroad. Civil liberties advocates have spent years pushing to add privacy protections, since the program sometimes captures data on Americans.
The expulsion battle
Four House members now face potential expulsion votes, an extraordinarily rare disciplinary step. Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell ended his California gubernatorial campaign over the weekend after multiple women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct. Swalwell has called the sexual assault allegations "false" and apologized for "mistakes in judgment."
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas admitted to an extramarital affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Another former campaign aide has alleged he sent her sexually explicit messages and repeatedly pressured her for sex. Gonzales acknowledged the affair as a "mistake," and his office did not respond to requests for comment on the alleged texts.
Members from both parties say they support expelling both Swalwell and Gonzales. Two other Republicans facing scrutiny are Rep. Cory Mills of Florida, who is under ethics investigation for campaign finance violations and sexual misconduct allegations, and Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, whom a House Ethics subcommittee found guilty on 25 charges related to allegations she stole millions in federal relief funds and diverted some to her 2022 campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick has declared her innocence and pleaded not guilty in related federal criminal charges.
Expulsion requires a two-thirds majority vote and is extraordinarily rare. The last expulsion occurred in late 2023 when Rep. George Santos was removed after a scathing ethics report and a 23-count criminal indictment. Whether current votes will reach that threshold is unclear, particularly before any outstanding Ethics Committee investigations conclude.
The full Ethics panel will convene on April 21 to recommend sanctions in at least one case, though the House could vote before that meeting.
Democrats have united against the Iran military campaign and plan to force another Senate vote this week. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer promised to bring the measure forward again, though Republicans have blocked similar efforts previously.
Trump has threatened to wipe out "a whole civilization" if Iran does not comply with his demands. A ceasefire announced by the administration remains on unstable footing.
A CBS News poll released Sunday showed 60% of Americans disapprove of military action against Iran, with only 40% supportive. The survey also found 61% believe the war is going badly, 66% say Trump has not clearly explained U.S. goals, 64% say the stated objectives keep changing, and 62% say Trump lacks a clear plan.
Schumer told reporters last week the war has worsened American standing. "This is one of the very worst military and foreign policy actions that the United States has ever taken," he said. Democrats have also pointed to rising gas prices and food supply chain disruptions after Iranian retaliation and the subsequent shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Congress is walking into a week where Republicans will try to ram through unpopular priorities while Democrats struggle to stop them, all while the public turns sharply against the Iran conflict."
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