The solstice this weekend marked the start of astronomical summer — and in Washington, D.C., that means the legislative clock is ticking.
Lawmakers are eager to head home and campaign on a housing bill that’s nearing passage, but progress on several other issues has stalled, and it’s unclear whether a visit from President Donald Trump will break the logjam or cause further obstruction.
The House returns after a week off to strained relations between senators and the White House, awaiting a solution to a lapsed spy powers authority that has no clear path forward.
Renewing what’s known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will be top of mind. Proponents say some key U.S. spy intelligence has gone “dark” since the program lapsed 10 days ago, right as the country is hosting events for its 250th birthday and games for the World Cup.
Last week, Trump directed Jay Clayton, his pick to be director of national intelligence, not to appear for his scheduled confirmation hearing in front of the Intelligence Committee, which caught Senate Republicans off guard. On Friday, Bill Pulte, a controversial housing official, took over as acting DNI — it was his appointment that led to Democrats’ pulling away from a bipartisan deal on Section 702, which he would oversee in the role.
