Lawmakers left Capitol Hill with several legislative priorities unfulfilled before their two-week Easter recess. Now, as members of Congress return to the nation’s capital this week, they are faced with a long list of tasks. During their break, they enjoyed time in their home districts after the $1.2 trillion government funding bill was passed, ending months of delays and punting on issues.
One key agenda item for Congress is the trial of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in the Senate, although the trial may not even happen. The House passed articles of impeachment against Mayorkas in February, accusing him of dereliction of duty at the southern border. The articles have not moved in the Senate, where they are expected to fail. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intends to start work on the trial, with the House set to deliver the resolution on April 10.
Another consideration for Congress is supplemental support for Ukraine, which has faced criticism from some GOP members. The specifics of this aid package, including funding amounts and form, are not yet known. Some Republicans have suggested providing aid in the form of interest-free loans, echoing former President Donald Trump’s recommendations.
Additionally, an outstanding motion to vacate against House Speaker Mike Johnson hangs over discussions of Ukraine funding. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced the motion as a warning to Johnson, but it is unclear if it will succeed. Concerns about potential paralysis in Congress following a similar motion against a previous speaker have been raised.
As Congress tackles these and other issues upon their return, the outcomes remain uncertain. Members will need to navigate complex political dynamics to address the pressing matters at hand. Johnson cautioned that such a decision could potentially lead to a Democrat speaker being in power.
Baltimore Bridge Funding?
Congress may also consider providing funding to assist Maryland in rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which tragically collapsed two weeks ago following a collision with a cargo ship.
In the aftermath of the disaster, President Joe Biden promptly pledged that the federal government would cover the entire cost. However, Republicans pushed back, arguing that it is not the federal government’s responsibility to reconstruct a bridge owned by Maryland.
Some, including the House Freedom Caucus (HFC), have suggested maximizing the legal liability of the cargo ship owner involved in the incident. The HFC did not completely dismiss the idea of federal funding, but stressed the importance of keeping any potential bill focused solely on the bridge’s reconstruction without additional unrelated projects.
President Biden expressed willingness to pursue legal action against the ship owner while reiterating the federal government’s commitment to covering most of the damages. He called on Congress to approve this effort promptly. However, it remains uncertain what action, if any, Congress will take in response to the president’s request.
FISA Renewal
The House is set to address legislation renewing a controversial surveillance power known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Originally scheduled to expire in 2023, the authority received a short-term extension until April 19.
Despite concerns over abuses, the intelligence community views this authority as critical. The House is expected to vote on a compromise reform bill, Rep. Laurel Lee’s (R-Fla.) Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, which reauthorizes the authority for five years while implementing some demanded reforms.
While the bill includes new standards for query accuracy and expands penalties for illegal queries, it does not require warrants for all queries on American citizens—a point of contention for critics like House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) supports the bill and anticipates its passage. However, a bipartisan group opposed to domestic surveillance may reject the bill if they deem the reforms insufficient.
In addition to these legislative actions, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on April 11, amid escalating tensions with the Chinese communist regime.
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