Johnson stares down 'hell week' as DHS payroll looms and GOP refuses to play ball

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson is heading into a high-stakes pre-recess stretch that lawmakers are already describing as a “hell week,” as divisions within the Republican conference threaten to complicate key legislative priorities.

Despite a track record of navigating tight votes, Johnson now faces a House floor agenda that includes three contentious items: a long-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the Farm Bill, and a Senate-passed budget reconciliation measure focused on funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol.

“Next week is going to be hell week,” Representative Troy Nehls (R-Texas) said, pointing to mounting tensions within the GOP ranks.

The timeline adds urgency, with lawmakers working against legislative deadlines and funding concerns, including reports that the Department of Homeland Security is approaching constraints in meeting payroll obligations.

Rebels reject 'two-step' Senate budget plan

One of the central challenges for Johnson is securing support for the Senate’s budget reconciliation plan tied to DHS funding.

While the proposal is backed by the White House as a mechanism to support ICE and Border Patrol, several House Republicans have expressed skepticism about the broader strategy.

Members have raised concerns over the so-called “two-step” process, questioning whether additional reconciliation measures will follow. 

“We don't trust the two-step process. That's a sticking point,” Representative Keith Self (R-Texas) said, touting the hesitation within the caucus.

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington acknowledged the lack of consensus, stating that leadership is “not there yet” in aligning members behind a package that focuses narrowly on border enforcement funding while leaving other DHS priorities unresolved.

The disagreement has slowed momentum on a measure seen as critical to ongoing operations.

Conservative revolt threatens FISA extension survival

At the same time, the effort to extend Section 702 FISA faces resistance from conservative lawmakers demanding stricter safeguards.

The three-year extension proposal has drawn opposition over the absence of a warrant requirement for certain data collection practices.

“If you're not going to have warrants, I'm not going to play ball,” Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn) said, reflecting a broader push among hardliners for changes to the surveillance framework.

Complicating the path forward, some members are seeking to attach additional provisions to the bill. Representative Keith Self indicated that votes may not materialize without including language related to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC).

With the current authorization set to expire next Thursday night, lawmakers are weighing options, including a possible short-term extension to prevent a lapse in intelligence authorities.

Leadership meeting fails to bridge divide

Efforts by leadership to unify the conference have so far produced mixed results. Majority Leader Steve Scalise said a late Wednesday meeting “resolved a lot of the issues,” but several members continued to signal reservations as of Thursday morning.

The divisions highlight ongoing tensions between leadership priorities and demands from conservative factions, particularly as members weigh policy concerns alongside political considerations. 

The outcome of these negotiations could influence not only the immediate legislative agenda but also the broader dynamics within the House Republican conference.

Adding to the pressure, the Farm Bill remains on the agenda, carrying significant implications for agricultural policy and rural constituencies.