The House pushed through renewal of a sweeping foreign surveillance tool Wednesday, but Republican chaos over agricultural policy derailed a companion vote that could restart funding for immigration agencies frozen in a 74-day shutdown.
The chamber voted 235-191 to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires Thursday. The measure cleared with bipartisan support, driven by intelligence officials and lawmakers who argued the program is essential for national security and includes modest safeguards against domestic abuse.
But the real drama unfolded over a budget resolution that would unlock the path to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. GOP leaders had expected to pass it Wednesday night, only to have a faction of Republicans revolt over unrelated provisions in a five-year farm bill. With the vote held open on the House floor and cameras rolling, Speaker Mike Johnson huddled with the rebels, eventually retreating to his private office as negotiations stretched past three hours.
The day's chaos reflected the brutal arithmetic of Republican control. A narrow 217-212 majority means Johnson has almost no margin for error, and Wednesday offered proof. Earlier, a handful of hard-line conservatives blocked a procedural motion, forcing the Speaker to spend two hours on the House floor begging Andy Biggs, Tim Burchett, and Harriet Hageman to flip their votes. The rule ultimately passed 216-210.
"These are some of the most complicated public policy matters that Congress deals with, and they're all sandwiched together because of deadlines that are upon us," Johnson said after the tense negotiations.
The shutdown impasse centers on Democratic demands for limits on immigration enforcement, including body camera requirements and restrictions on raids in schools and hospitals. Republicans aim to sidestep those demands entirely by using the budget reconciliation process, which allows passage with just 51 Senate votes and bars Democratic filibusters. The resolution authorizes $70 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol over roughly three years.
On the surveillance front, Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled skepticism of the House bill, saying he is working instead on a 45-day extension. Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, defended the three-year renewal on the House floor, arguing it prevents the authorities from becoming a dragnet on American citizens and includes meaningful oversight.
The farm bill impasse centers on year-round sales of E15, a corn-based biofuel blend. Rep. Glenn Thompson, the Agriculture Committee chair, expressed confidence it would pass Thursday. Rep. Lauren Boebert called the bill "fake" but pledged to vote yes, saying she would push changes in House-Senate talks.
No votes are scheduled for Wednesday night. The House is set to leave for a weeklong recess Thursday, though Johnson could bring a separate Senate-passed bill to the floor before departure. That measure would fund other DHS agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration, though a final decision has not been made.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "House Republicans got one win on surveillance but revealed once again that governing with this narrow a majority is becoming a grinding, public spectacle."
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