U.S. Congress members returned to Washington this week after a two-week recess, facing a packed agenda including a high-profile Democrat's scandal, an ongoing war with Iran, expiring spy powers, and a prolonged Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Lawmakers must address calls to expel Representative Eric Swalwell, conduct show votes on the Iran conflict, renew FISA Section 702 authority, and resolve funding for the shuttered agency. These issues highlight tensions between parties and constitutional questions over executive actions.
Congress reconvened in Washington following a two-week break, tackling urgent matters. Among them is California Representative Eric Swalwell, who recently dropped out of the gubernatorial race amid sexual assault accusations. At least half a dozen Democratic colleagues are threatening to expel him unless he resigns voluntarily, though Swalwell denies wrongdoing and has apologized to his wife for past mistakes. Republicans are considering pairing this with actions against other embattled members, marking a significant setback for the once-prominent Trump critic, as NPR congressional reporter Eric McDaniel noted in an interview with host Michel Martin. Peace talks between the U.S. and Iran concluded without agreement, prompting President Trump to announce a military blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Hawkish Republicans expressed little surprise, citing doubts about Iran's good-faith negotiations. Democrats, however, condemned Trump's recent threat to 'end Iranian civilization,' with more than three dozen calling for his removal from office. This week, Democrats plan show votes on the war—despite their likely failure—to force Republicans on record, underscoring Congress's constitutional war-declaring authority, which the White House bypassed. FISA Section 702, a key Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act provision, expires next Monday. It allows warrantless collection of communications from over 300,000 foreign nationals abroad annually, comprising about 60% of the president's daily intelligence briefings. Privacy advocates across parties argue that reviewing incidental U.S. persons' data requires court warrants under the Fourth Amendment, while intelligence agencies warn it would overburden courts. The Department of Homeland Security remains in its longest-ever shutdown. Republicans propose a short-term bipartisan funding bill excluding some immigration enforcement to pay essential workers like airport security—already funded by Trump bypassing Congress. A longer-term plan would cover the agency through the rest of Trump's term, but House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously called it a 'joke,' must now rally skeptical rank-and-file members.
