Becker’s Washington Weekly: Week of June 8
Congress’ Dealmaking Week
Congress returns to Washington this week with big ticket legislative priorities to debate and pass, including new immigration enforcement funding and expiring foreign surveillance powers.
Today, House lawmakers will set the terms of this week’s floor debate on Republicans’ latest budgetary reconciliation bill providing nearly $70 billion in multi-year immigration enforcement funding through Fiscal Year 2029. The legislation aims to address the gap in DHS funding left from a bipartisan deal struck earlier this year to end the longstanding government shutdown following disagreements over the Administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Meanwhile in the Senate, lawmakers will consider Administration nominations in addition to debating an extension to key provisions in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act which are set to expire this Friday. Senators failed to pass a long term renewal last week and are meeting to reconsider new limits on federal surveillance powers in the hopes of striking a deal.
The House is also considering additional bills under expedited procedures, including those aiming to curb fraud in federal grant and benefits programs and boosting sanctions authorities and diplomacy in both energy and economic development.
Lawmakers will also convene several committee hearings this week, including the following:
- The Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee will discuss AI’s ability to promote innovation and affordability
- The House Energy & Commerce Committee will examine AI’s ability to improve healthcare transparency
- The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will hold an oversight hearing of the Agriculture Department
- The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will examine the Energy Department’s FY27 budget request
