House Speaker Johnson Criticizes Democrats for DHS Funding Issues
House Speaker Mike Johnson took aim at Democrats for not providing funding to the Department of Homeland Security, which, he argues, has left around 98,000 workers unpaid and contributed to airport delays. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian shared his frustration regarding the situation and even suspended his congressional benefits. Johnson also defended his new proposal, which eliminates taxes on tips, emphasizing that Uber drivers, for instance, saw an uptick in tax refunds of about 20%. This, he stated, has ultimately benefited millions of workers. The bill received support from Republicans, while Democrats stood against it.
On another front, Speaker Johnson is now facing rising opposition from conservative members of his party ahead of a critical vote regarding the reauthorization of the government’s warrantless surveillance powers. House Republican leaders are aiming for an April 20 deadline to revise Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). While President Trump and Johnson are advocating for an 18-month extension, some lawmakers want certain restrictions added to the proposal.
Rep. Lauren Boebert expressed her dissent regarding a planned test vote that is set for Wednesday. She believes it could proceed to a final passage vote without addressing additional reforms that privacy-focused Republicans are pushing for. Section 702 enables the government to monitor foreign nationals without warrants, even while they communicate with U.S. citizens.
Conservative lawmakers, along with some Democrats, are advocating for the inclusion of amendments that would prohibit warrantless surveillance on Americans. However, Republican members of the House Rules Committee blocked an attempt by Democrats to insert an amendment that would enforce a warrant requirement.
It’s anticipated that House Democrats will not lend their votes needed for the procedural vote, likely creating challenges for Johnson, who might only lose a few Republicans in this scenario. Additionally, some Republicans, like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, plan to vote “no” unless a Trump-supported election security measure is included in the bill.
In light of potential Republican pushback, Trump has called for unity among his party during this significant vote. He has also underscored the national security risks of failing to renew the program, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Gen. Dan Cain articulated these risks in a letter to Congress, indicating that losing or diminishing FISA Section 702 powers could heighten dangers to U.S. forces and compromise national security. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe implored lawmakers to support a clean extension, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Some previous skeptics of FISA have highlighted the numerous reforms Congress has implemented to support a straightforward extension in 2024. Rep. Jim Jordan expressed the rationale for a temporary extension, acknowledging the evolving threats that warrant revisiting the program.
