The third assassination attempt on Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner has made headlines, but government business must go on. This week was particularly challenging with such a slim Republican majority. On the agenda were the farm bill, FISA reauthorization, and funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Take a gander at this, per PBS’s Lisa Desjardins:
The word of the week is “mess”. #Congmess?
– This centers on ->House Republicans and major issues hitting internal divide there.
– Let me just have one long thread here explaining.
FISA– The program that supporters call essential to protecting the US from foreign/terror threat expires THURSDAY.
– One proposal for a 3-year extension could not get through (GOP-led) Rules Committee last night.
– Hold-outs are demanding warrant requirements for US data caught up in the program.
– The Senate may move first now, cloture was filed last week.
DHS FUNDING– DHS runs out of the paycheck money it found *this week*.
– Reminder the agency has been in a technical shutdown for *72 DAYS*
– Democrats triggered this over ICE conduct.
– But House Republicans have now eclipsed the attention on Democrats … and given them a chance to turn the tables … because House GOP is blocking a Senate-passed bill to fund most of DHS. That, until a separate ICE/Border Patrol funding measure to move (more below).ICE/BORDER PATROL FUNDING
– The Senate has taken the first step toward passing ICE/Border Patrol funding – three years worth – via reconciliation.
– But the House also has not acted on that measure yet and it is not yet clear when it will. …Current balance of power in the House: 217-212. That is a two-vote margin. (Rs can lose two votes and still win w/out Dem help.)
The vote on the rules didn’t go smoothly at first, as some politicking took place. The farm bill will be voted on separately later. The Make America Healthy Again group threatened to reject the bill unless provisions that reportedly protected pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits were removed. There were rumors that some of these rule votes might occur late at night, but that did not happen. After two hours of discussion, this procedural hurdle was cleared with a vote of 216-210, paving the way for passage unless the House GOP decides to make changes, which could infuriate the White House.
BIG WIN FOR JOHNSON
HOUSE PASSES BIG RULE FOR FARM, FISA, BUDGET RESOLUTION
216-210
After TWO HOURS on the floor
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 29, 2026
GOP leadership hopes to get the farm bill on the floor week back from recess, but they are pulling it from this week, per sources
Leaders still plan votes on this week:
FISA, budget resolution and Senate-approved DHS funding bill (if they can; WH officials will be very… https://t.co/9sz6VqETlB
— Meredith Lee Hill (@meredithllee) April 29, 2026
It sounds like in exchange for votes on the rule, the GOP leadership agreed to pause consideration of the farm bill and put it back through the Rules Committee. E15 is not yet resolved.
w @sn_handler and @bresreports
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 29, 2026
It comes in mens and womens and lets your friends know you're happy to express your views and don't care what anyone thinks! Cheers!
It’s a good start and a great win for Johnson. But there’s still a ways to go.
