04.27.2026 - DC Download
From renewing government surveillance powers to taking up the first new farm bill in almost a decade, House Republicans have teed up a daunting schedule for the week. In addition, Cabinet officials continue to make the rounds advocating for President Trump’s budget proposal. And, finally, lawmakers will gather for a joint address from King Charles III — a high-profile event sure to be dominated by security discussions in the wake of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
House
House Floor
The House will vote on 13 suspension bills from the Committees on Ways and Means and House Administration. Suspension bills require a ⅔ majority to pass. For a list of all suspension bills being considered, click here.
This week the House will also consider the following bills, subject to a rule:
S. 1318 – Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act (Sponsored by Rep. Crawford / Judiciary/Intelligence Committees) This bill extends authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) — set to expire on April 30 — for three years. Under FISA Section 702, the government requires companies to provide communications data on non-U.S. persons abroad without a warrant. This incidentally collects Americans’ protected data, raising Fourth Amendment concerns and posing risks for activists, government critics, and people of color.
House Republicans previously failed to pass an 18-month extension. This updated version states that the government may pursue a warrant before surveilling an American and clarifies that FISA Section 702 cannot target citizens intentionally. However, it does not include the warrant requirement critics sought.
H.R. 2616 – Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act (Sponsored by Rep. Walberg / Education and Workforce Committee) This bill would prohibit public schools from teaching “gender ideology” as defined by a January 2025 executive order and force educators to “out” trans students to their parents.
S.Con.Res. 33 – Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035 (Sponsored by Sen. Graham – Budget Committee) This Senate-passed resolution sets parameters for Republicans’ planned reconciliation package. It instructs committees with jurisdiction over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol to, by May 15, craft legislation spending up to $140 billion.
H.R. 7567 – Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (Sponsored by Rep. Thompson (PA) – Agriculture Committee) This bill reauthorizes federal agriculture programs through 2031. It also cements cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that Republicans enacted via last summer’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The bill additionally preempts state and local protections regarding toxic pesticides.
Possible Consideration of H.Con.Res. 75 – Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran (Sponsored by Rep. Gottheimer – Foreign Affairs Committee) This resolution would force the President to remove U.S. troops from hostilities against Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. The resolution does not preclude intelligence sharing regarding Iran.
House Committee Highlights
A full list of this week’s hearings and markups can be found here. Notable hearings and markups include:
Monday Hearings
Budget Hearing - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Committee on Appropriations)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman testifying
Budget Hearing – Environmental Protection Agency (Committee on Appropriations
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin testifying
Tuesday Hearings
Prioritizing Main Street: Evaluating the Impact of Capital Proposals on Economic Growth and American Communities (Committee on Financial Services)
Wednesday Hearings
Budget Hearing - Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2027 (Committee on Armed Services)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine testifying
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifying
Thursday Hearings
Budget Hearing – Indian Health Service (Committee on Appropriations)
Senate
Nominations
The Senate this week has teed up votes on the following nominee:
Robert Cekada, to be Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Senate Committee Highlights
A full list of this week’s hearings and markups can be found here. Notable hearings and markups include:
Tuesday Hearings
Hearing on the nomination of Kevin Warsh, to be a Member and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs)
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior (Committee on Appropriations)
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum testifying
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Commerce (Committee on Appropriations)
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick testifying
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of the Treasury (Committee on Appropriations)
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent testifying
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services (Committee on Appropriations)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testifying
Wednesday Hearings
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture (Committee on Appropriations)
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins testifying
A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Energy (Committee on Appropriations)
Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright testifying
ISSUES TO WATCH
House Republicans’ Ambitious To-Do List
House Republicans are hoping to renew government surveillance powers; reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a 2.5-month shutdown; kick off the convoluted reconciliation process to funnel more money to immigration enforcement; and pass a new farm bill, which hasn’t been done since 2018—all before Friday.
The time crunch isn’t the only hurdle. All of these priorities face strong — and, in some cases, bipartisan — headwinds.
Republicans introduced a modified bill to renew surveillance powers, but one that still falls short of bipartisan demands for warrant requirements. Some House Republicans don’t want to fund the bulk of DHS without moving on reconciliation — but some are also skeptical of moving on reconciliation given its immigration-only scope. Things don’t get easier when it comes to the farm bill, which Democrats oppose due to nutrition assistance cuts. On top of that, lawmakers from both parties have panned giveaways to Big Ag and liability shields for pesticide-makers.
These bills face their first test tonight in the Rules Committee, which must advance a measure that sets parameters for floor debate. While Rules’ membership is lopsided in the GOP’s favor, its Republican roster includes Freedom Caucus members who could pose a problem for the FISA and budget measures. After Rules greenlights the bills, the full House must pass the typically party-line “rule” before debate can begin — another opportunity for dissatisfied GOP Members to throw a wrench into things.
If GOP leadership cannot pass a rule, they could move to consider the bills under suspension of the rules, which requires ⅔ of House Members’ support to pass. However, that means relying on Democrats’ support to get these priorities over the finish line — something they may not be willing to provide and, if they do, something hardline Republicans will deem a sign of weakness from Speaker Mike Johnson.
A Visual Guide to Reconciliation (We Build Progress)
After 2 failed votes, Mike Johnson unveils new plan to extend key U.S. spy powers (NPR)
Committee approves farm bill after spat on pesticide liability (E&E News)
What We’re Reading
Even Before the Gunfire, Many Guests Bore the Scars of Political Violence (New York Times)
Bulgaria’s former President Radev wins election: All you need to know (Al Jazeera)
Data center moratorium a fault line in Dem primaries (POLITICO)
Here is the biggest problem Washington faces: Iran sees no need to compromise (The Guardian)
SNAP Tracker: People Are Losing Food Assistance as the Republican Megabill Is Implemented (CBPP)
Civil rights groups condemn Southern Poverty Law Center's indictment and prepare for legal fights (Los Angeles Times)
How Washington is changing its approach to nuclear waste (Washington Post)
KEY DATES
April 22: Earth Day
April 24: Arbor Day
May 1: May Day
May 4-8: House and Senate in recess
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
May 10: Mothers Day
May 25: Memorial Day