Republicans in Congress are racing a tight April schedule: key warrantless surveillance authorities expire on April 30, and a durable FISA extension that can win 60 Senate votes and House approval looks unlikely. The DHS shutdown has reached 66 days as the House still hasn’t passed the Senate’s DHS funding bill, which excludes ICE and CBP. Senate Republicans plan a party-line immigration funding measure, and the Senate is expected to release a budget resolution and hold an unlimited vote-a-rama this week.
Republicans Confront a Packed April Deadline: Surveillance, DHS Shutdown and Immigration Funding
Republicans in Congress face a crowded April calendar with multiple high-stakes deadlines that could shape national security and immigration policy.
Surveillance Deadline: After last week’s delay, key warrantless surveillance authorities are scheduled to lapse on April 30. Lawmakers will find it difficult to secure a longer-term extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) that can muster the 60 Senate votes needed to overcome a filibuster and a House majority.
DHS Shutdown: The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has entered its 66th day. The House has not approved the Senate’s DHS funding bill, which would fund the department through September but excludes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Republican Strategy: Senate Republicans plan to respond with a separate, party-line funding measure that would finance immigration enforcement agencies for the remainder of President Trump’s term. Text for the Senate budget resolution to set up that measure is expected early this week.
What Comes Next: Senate leaders are preparing for an unlimited "vote-a-rama," a procedural marathon during which senators offer numerous amendments and votes continue until all are resolved. That vote-a-rama is anticipated in the coming days and could determine whether the party-line approach advances.
Timelines remain fluid as negotiations continue; last-minute deals or procedural moves could change the outlook.
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