Republicans are barreling into a high-stakes legislative week, juggling two major priorities: a $69.5 billion immigration enforcement funding package and a long-term extension of the government’s warrantless surveillance powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Both measures face tight timelines and significant political headwinds, testing GOP unity and Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership.
The House is slated to vote on a budget reconciliation bill that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol through 2029. The measure cleared the Senate last Friday after a grueling 18-hour session, but Johnson can afford to lose only two Republican votes if Democrats remain united in opposition. Fiscal hawk Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who opposed Trump’s earlier signature legislation, has already signaled dissent. Others, like Representative Kevin Kiley of California, demand stronger interior enforcement provisions before backing the bill. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a frequent GOP swing vote, remains a wildcard, especially after his opposition to the so-called “anti-weaponization” fund—a $1.8 billion pool for individuals claiming unfair prosecution under the Biden Justice Department. That fund sparked a party rebellion, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche telling lawmakers the DOJ won’t proceed, though Trump defended it as “a beautiful thing.” The final Senate bill omitted language barring the fund, leaving some conservatives uneasy.
Complicating matters, lawmakers are increasingly hitting the campaign trail during a heated midterm primary season, making it harder for leaders to maintain a full conference for close votes. Johnson already missed Trump’s June 1 deadline for the bill, adding pressure to deliver this week.
Simultaneously, the clock is ticking on Section 702 of FISA, which expires June 12 and allows warrantless spying on foreign nationals abroad. Renewal efforts have stalled as Democrats vow to block any extension until President Trump withdraws his appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Senate Minority Leader Mark Warner of Virginia argued that granting enhanced surveillance powers while Pulte could misuse intelligence against political foes is untenable. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed that sentiment, calling Pulte “deeply unserious, deeply dangerous and deeply unqualified.” Last week, all but one Senate Democrat—John Fetterman of Pennsylvania—voted to block debate on the renewal, joined by seven Republicans: Josh Hawley, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Eric Schmitt, Rick Scott, John Kennedy, and Tommy Tuberville.
Privacy-minded conservatives in the House are also demanding reforms, including a permanent ban on central bank digital currencies and a warrant requirement for surveillance. If Johnson can’t secure near-unanimous support on a procedural vote, he may resort to a fast-track process requiring two-thirds approval, which would need substantial Democratic backing—a tall order given the Pulte standoff.
Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to consider fiscal 2027 appropriations bills, and House Republicans are already sketching out a third party-line reconciliation package, as detailed in our reporting on the GOP's third reconciliation bill in jeopardy. The path forward remains narrow, with internal GOP divisions and Democratic opposition threatening to derail both the immigration and surveillance agendas.
For Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, this week is a bellwether of their ability to wrangle a fractious conference and deliver on Trump’s priorities—even as the president’s own interventions, from the anti-weaponization fund to the Pulte appointment, create fresh obstacles. As one GOP aide put it, “We’re in a crunch, and every vote counts.”
