Lawmakers approve budget framework and extend intelligence program amid debate over immigration enforcement and privacy protections.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The U.S. House of Representatives approved two major measures Wednesday, advancing a budget framework to fund immigration enforcement and extending a key federal surveillance authority set to expire.
In a 215–211 vote, the House passed a resolution initiating the budget reconciliation process, a legislative pathway that allows certain measures to pass the Senate with a simple majority. The framework directs congressional committees to draft legislation that could allocate up to $70 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol.
The Senate had already approved moving forward with the measure on April 23, following a proposal led by Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. House leadership has indicated that the forthcoming legislation will focus specifically on immigration enforcement funding.
Separately, the House voted 235–191 to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a surveillance authority used by U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications involving foreign nationals outside the United States. The measure was passed just ahead of the program’s expiration deadline and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Section 702 allows the collection of emails, phone calls, and other communications without an individualized warrant when targeting non-U.S. persons abroad. However, communications involving Americans may be incidentally collected and later accessed by authorities, a practice that has drawn criticism from privacy advocates.
Justin Amash, a former congressman, criticized the extension in a public statement, saying, “This bill lets the government search Americans’ private communications without a warrant—in direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.”
The legislation includes a requirement for the comptroller general to conduct an audit within one year, assessing whether current procedures appropriately limit surveillance activities. It also reiterates that U.S. citizens cannot be intentionally targeted under the program.
Debate over the surveillance measure has included calls from lawmakers in both parties for stronger safeguards, particularly requiring warrants before accessing Americans’ data. President Donald Trump has supported extending the program without additional restrictions, arguing it is essential for national security.
In a prior statement, Trump said military officials consider the authority critical, particularly amid ongoing tensions involving Iran.
The funding measure comes during a partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, which began on Feb. 14. While agencies such as ICE and Customs and Border Protection have continued operating under existing funding, lawmakers have debated the scope and conditions of future appropriations.
In addition to the immigration and surveillance measures, the House also advanced a new version of the Farm Bill, a comprehensive legislative package governing agricultural and nutrition programs. One amendment, introduced by Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), would restrict states from setting pesticide labeling standards that differ from federal guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The approved budget resolution sets the stage for further legislative negotiations as committees begin drafting detailed funding provisions for consideration in the coming weeks.
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