Congress is Back: Working Hard or Hardly Working?

Plus: Rethinking the ‘Tradthot’

Congress is Back: Working Hard or Hardly Working?

Congress returns to DC with a packed agenda including discussions on Ukraine, FISA, Israel, and more. The Senate is preparing for the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, with Majority Leader Schumer seeking dismissal.

PunchBowl News reported:

The Senate GOP messaging on this is straightforward — Mayorkas must be held accountable for his handling of the migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, so a trial is necessary. Notably, the messaging memo doesn’t weigh in on the actual question of whether Mayorkas should be convicted and removed from office.

For his part, Mayorkas says he’s paying very little attention to the Hill proceedings.

“I am focused on the work,” Mayorkas told reporters on Friday. “When I say I’m doing my work, I’m going to be testifying before two committees on Wednesday. That is perfectly reflective of my approach.” Mayorkas will be appearing before the House and Senate Appropriations panels this week to discuss the department’s FY2025 budget request.

The House revisits a FISA reauthorization bill, sans a provision to have a warrant.

The Hill reported:

The bill closely aligns with a February proposal that nearly made it to the House floor, offering significant limitations on how agencies like the FBI can review information on Americans that are swept up while surveilling those abroad.

But it does not include a warrant requirement that privacy hawks have demanded but that opponents – led by those on the House Intelligence Committee – warn would cause delays that would impede intelligence agents from responding to threats in real time.

Rep. Thomas Massie posted, “The U.S. government uses the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to spy on Americans without a warrant. This week, the House will vote to require the Feds to get a warrant to snoop on Americans. Sadly this vote is likely to fail. I will demand a recorded vote & post results.”

Additionally, discussions on Ukraine aid, a GOP resolution on Israel, and the REPO Act, are expected.

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