Congress Faces Multiple Deadlines as Budget Talks Stall

Congress returns to Washington with several legislative deadlines approaching after the budget reconciliation process stalled over a proposed Department of Justice fund. The Senate has not advanced the reconciliation package that was intended to direct roughly $72 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.

Senate Republicans raised objections during a closed-door meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche over whether individuals convicted of assaulting police officers on Jan. 6, 2021, could receive payments from the nearly $2 billion fund.

Lawmakers must address the June 12 deadline to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. House conservatives are seeking changes that would require warrants for surveillance of Americans' communications and limit the government's ability to purchase data from brokers without a warrant.

GOP senators including Mike Lee and Rick Scott are expected to press similar changes in the Senate. The Trump administration has called for a clean reauthorization without additional restrictions.

The House is also preparing to consider the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which would authorize $1.15 trillion for the Pentagon. Democrats are expected to seek a vote on legislation authorizing $1.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia.

House Speaker Mike Johnson faces calls from some Republicans to begin work on a third budget reconciliation package focused on housing, energy and healthcare costs. Rep. August Pfluger said the conference could pass such a measure by the end of July.

Lawmakers have limited time before the midterm elections, with the August recess and most of October set aside for campaigning.