President Trump Calls for Linking FISA Bill to SAVE America Act

President Donald Trump has made a controversial request to connect the extension of the FISA anti-terrorism surveillance law to the SAVE America Act, which addresses voter ID regulations. This has sparked a range of reactions. Senator John Thune from South Dakota has voiced skepticism about the practicality of this connection, while Senator Chuck Schumer has responded negatively, labeling Trump’s proposal as “extremely reckless.”

As the season progresses, we’re slowly starting to grasp what the future holds for various sports teams and players. There’s speculation about which athletes could be traded before the deadline. For instance, can underperforming teams like the Texas Rangers or the Athletics even hope for a postseason spot? Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles’ decision to sign Pete Alonso from the New York Mets is under scrutiny: Was it worth it? And what’s going on with the Detroit Tigers—will they potentially trade Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal?

Things are becoming clearer as we approach the All-Star break. Likewise, the political landscape is shifting, though Congress is moving at a different pace than the baseball timetable. Major League Baseball might find itself in the World Series by October 31, but midterm elections are looming on November 3.

Democrats seem to be facing a significant losing streak in Congressional baseball, with a former MLB star eyeing a position on the GOP roster. Meanwhile, lawmakers are deliberating whether Congress ought to review the deal with Iran. It’s clear that the timeline on Capitol Hill is more condensed than that of Major League Baseball. In fact, Congress appears to have already navigated through the so-called “dog days” of August. Both the House and Senate are expected to be on recess, save for one day, and plan on reconvening in September.

However, the risk of another government shutdown hangs in the air, particularly as the fiscal year wraps up on September 30 at 11:59 PM ET. Lawmakers on both sides are likely eager to return home for campaigning ahead of the midterms. Last year’s lengthy government shutdown serves as a reminder of the challenges they might face this time around.

If Democrats clash again over healthcare issues and border security, Republicans could potentially use government shutdowns as ammunition in their campaigns, even after they recently defunded key agencies during Trump’s presidency.

This week, the Senate is in session while the House takes a break. Rumors are surfacing that the House may choose to extend its recess until September, which would be a switch from the previous year when they ended early. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole is pushing for some spending bills to move forward before the break, having already approved a couple tied to military construction and veterans programs, as well as agriculture.

Republicans aim to pass an annual defense funding bill, which will account for a significant portion of discretionary spending. A continuation of last year’s strategy may occur, with Republicans potentially moving forward with the defense plan solely on their votes. If approved, this could mean that around 80% of the upcoming year’s spending is already arranged.

On a different note, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins has canceled several meetings recently due to a perceived lack of cooperation from Democrats. The upcoming election could become a significant factor for her, as she faces Democratic challenger Graham Platner this fall—who, interestingly, is regarded as a tough opponent.

The appropriations process in the House seems to be advancing, but the Senate is increasingly stalled. Some House members might begin to question the wisdom of pushing forward with bills that aren’t gaining traction in the Senate, leading to calls for recess as both sides feel the pressure.

As October approaches, it’s uncertain whether legislators will stay in Washington or opt to head home to campaign—especially considering the previous shutdown’s implications. House Speaker Mike Johnson didn’t choose to recess during the last shutdown, raising questions about this year’s strategies.

One of the largest pending bills includes “Reconciliation 3.0,” though its contents remain unclear, reminiscent of last year’s notable legislation. President Trump has indicated a desire to incorporate $350 billion for military spending, largely for the conflict in Iran, in addition to military supply replenishment.

Another point of discussion is health care; however, the Trump administration’s stance on this remains vague. There’s talk of tax cuts and possibly lowering the cost of living. Notably, Trump wants to attach the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voting, to the FISA renewal. The feasibility of passing this through the Senate remains questionable, especially with Senate Majority Leader John Thune refusing to dismiss the budget judge.

The Republican Party is expected to campaign on new policy proposals this fall, although skepticism abounds. Early departures from Congress might indicate a diminishing chance of passing “Reconciliation 3.0.” Just like in baseball, teams often know where they stand well before the season concludes, and Congress is no exception as members’ terms draw to a close on January 3, 2027.

In summary, expectations for various teams varied this season, and with half the year still left, outcomes look uncertain. The same applies to the ongoing proceedings in Congress—uncertainties loom large.