By Blessing Nweke

The Republican-controlled House delivered a pair of significant legislative wins Wednesday, renewing a key surveillance authority and advancing a budget framework tied to immigration enforcement funding after a day marked by internal GOP divisions and procedural drama.

Lawmakers voted 235-191 to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a cornerstone intelligence program set to expire this week. The measure allows U.S. agencies to collect foreign intelligence without warrants for non-Americans abroad, though it has drawn criticism over incidental data collection involving Americans.

Later, the House narrowly approved a Senate-backed budget resolution in a 215-211 party-line vote, paving the way for billions in funding for immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. The move could help end the 74- day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, driven by disputes over immigration policy.

The legislative victories followed hours of gridlock. Conservative Republicans initially blocked a procedural vote, stalling multiple priorities. Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team spent hours persuading holdouts before securing a 216-210 vote to move forward.

Democrats sharply criticized the process. Rep. Jim McGovern described the day as chaotic, reflecting broader tensions within the narrowly divided chamber.

Supporters of the surveillance extension argued it remains vital to national security. Rep. Jim Himes said the updated measure includes safeguards and warned against letting the authority lapse.

The budget resolution authorizes up to $70 billion over three years for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, using reconciliation rules that allow Senate passage with a simple majority.

Attention now turns to a pending farm bill and short-term Senate negotiations over surveillance authorities, with deadlines looming and political divisions unresolved