This week on The Hill: Lawmakers head into 'hell week' with FISA and reconciliation 2.0

The House is heading into a high-stakes week, as lawmakers juggle a budget blueprint for a second reconciliation bill alongside a measure to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) warrantless surveillance powers — all before departing for recess next week. Most pressing on the agenda is an extension of Section 702 of FISA, which allows the government to spy on foreigners abroad without a warrant. The section expires Thursday, giving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) limited time to rally Republicans around a deal. Johnson last week released a new proposal that would renew Section 702 for three years. However, it doesn’t include a warrant requirement, for which privacy-minded conservatives and House Freedom Caucus members have been clamoring. Also on Republicans’ agenda is advancing a budget blueprint for a reconciliation bill that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol as a path forward to end the record-breaking Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. House Republicans have been divided on whether they want a “skinny” reconciliation bill — which Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is pushing for — or a more expansive package loaded with additional reforms, a route that could complicate passage and risk dragging out the shutdown, which has already stretched for more than two months. This week “is going to be hell week,” Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) told reporters. …