Senate Advances SAVE Act, FISA Bill, Iran Strikes, Funding

The Senate returns this week to address a backlog of legislation that accumulated during a more than two-week recess. Items include the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, renewed U.S. strikes in Iran, and government funding measures.

President Donald Trump has pressed Republicans to attach the SAVE America Act to the National Defense Authorization Act. The administration previously declined to sign a bipartisan housing package in protest of the stalled voter legislation.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing Wednesday for Jay Clayton, nominated to replace acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte. Pulte's earlier appointment had delayed efforts to reauthorize the surveillance provision. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is also set for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

Senators on the Appropriations Committee expect several spending bills to reach the floor during the July session. Democrats have indicated a preference for funding the government through regular appropriations rather than continuing resolutions. The administration resumed strikes against Iran last week after ending a temporary agreement that had paused fighting.

Lawmakers from both parties had expressed concerns about the earlier pause and the renewed military action. A non-binding resolution limiting war powers in the region passed Congress earlier, but a broader war-powers measure did not reach the president's desk.