House Speaker Mike Johnson is navigating a crucial week as he grapples with the possibility of an ouster and mounting pressure to advance aid to Ukraine, a commitment he has been vocal about for months.
During the Easter recess, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene continued her criticism of Johnson, cautioning against pursuing any Ukraine aid package. However, Johnson has been working behind the scenes to craft a package that could garner enough support.
The challenge for Johnson lies in securing a significant number of Democratic votes for any Ukraine aid legislation. Crafting a bill that can attract ample Democratic backing, especially in light of recent events such as the Israeli strike that killed aid workers, poses a complex task.
Amid discussions of potentially breaking the aid package into smaller components, the Senate presents another hurdle for passage.
While Johnson is expected to focus on reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act this week, internal party conflicts could complicate the process.
Additionally, the House is set to send articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate, with expectations of a swift dismissal by the Democratic-led chamber.
House Republicans had voted to impeach Mayorkas in February over border-related issues, a move criticized by Democrats as a political maneuver.
Lawmakers will also address the aftermath of the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge, with pressure mounting for Congress to allocate additional funding for recovery efforts.
Furthermore, the impending deadline to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA adds to the legislative agenda, with House Republicans divided on the issue.
Efforts to find a compromise on FISA reform have been ongoing, with a proposed bill aiming to reauthorize Section 702 for five years while implementing reforms.
Supporters argue that Section 702 is vital for national security, emphasizing that it targets foreign individuals overseas and not Americans domestically.
Critics, however, raise concerns about potential privacy violations and loopholes that could allow unwarranted searches of Americans' data.
The coming week is poised to be a critical juncture for Johnson's speakership as he navigates a complex legislative landscape amidst internal party tensions and pressing national issues.
