Senate passes short-term Fisa extension
By a voice vote, the Senate approved a 10-day clean extension of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This provision was scheduled to expire on Monday, facing opposition from Democrats and privacy advocates.
The temporary measure, previously passed by the House in the early hours of Friday, provides lawmakers additional time to negotiate reforms to the bill.
On Friday, the Supreme Court delivered a procedural 8-0 ruling favoring oil and gas companies contesting lawsuits related to coastal land loss and environmental damage in Louisiana. The decision allows the companies to pursue their cases in federal court after a state jury ordered Chevron to pay over $740 million for coastal cleanup, among several similar lawsuits.
Supported by the companies, the argument is that the cases belong in federal court because their oil production and refining activities began during World War II as U.S. contractors. They deny responsibility for Louisiana's land loss and contend it is inappropriate to hold them liable for actions predating state environmental regulations.
House Education and Workforce Committee holds hearing with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The committee commenced a hearing with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss the administration's primary objectives. Chairman Tim Walberg questioned Kennedy about his responsibility for the recent measles outbreak. Kennedy responded:
"I’ve been accused of that. The accusation is not science-based."
Kennedy stated the Texas outbreak began in January 2025, a month before he assumed leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He noted the infection originated within a rural Mennonite community known for low vaccination rates.
"The Mennonites have not been vaccinated since 1796," Kennedy said. "This has nothing to do with me."
The measles outbreak continues, with Utah emerging as a hotspot in the U.S. The outbreak began in Texas over a year ago and has since spread to most states, marking the end of the period when measles was considered eliminated in the U.S.
Trump announces Iran nuclear suspension and no release of frozen funds
Donald Trump stated that Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely and will not receive any frozen U.S. funds, according to Bloomberg News. In a phone interview on Friday, Trump said a deal to end the war, initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in late February, is nearly complete. He added that talks regarding a lasting agreement will likely occur over the weekend.
Oversight Democrats threaten contempt of Congress over Bondi deposition
House Oversight Committee Democrats have urged GOP leadership to reschedule Pam Bondi’s deposition or face a contempt of Congress motion. In a letter to Chair James Comer, Ranking Member Robert Garcia criticized the lack of progress from Republicans beyond "vague statements" regarding a new deposition date.
In March, five GOP oversight lawmakers joined all Democrats in subpoenaing Bondi, former attorney general under Donald Trump, to testify about the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"Regardless of her departure from DOJ, [Bondi] possesses direct and extensive personal knowledge about DOJ’s management of the Epstein investigation," Garcia wrote.
"Should Ms. Bondi fail to cooperate with the Committee’s investigation, the Committee must be prepared to take all possible steps to hold accountable those who obstruct our work," Garcia added. "We urge you to schedule Ms. Bondi’s deposition immediately and provide transparency into your negotiations to secure a date."
Short-term Fisa extension faces challenges in Senate
The short-term extension of section 702 of FISA, passed by the House overnight, is encountering difficulties in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters he does not yet have the votes to pass the stopgap measure by unanimous consent. The provision expires Monday, and many lawmakers have left for the weekend.
Trump claims NATO offered assistance with Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump stated on Friday that NATO offered to assist the U.S. with the Strait of Hormuz. NATO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!" Trump posted on Truth Social.
This was Trump’s sixth post in two hours, during which he celebrated Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open, declared the U.S. naval blockade still in place, and stated that Israel is now prohibited by the U.S. from bombing certain targets. He posted five more times within 18 minutes.
The Supreme Court issued one opinion today, though not in any of the closely watched cases. The timing of the next decision day remains unclear. The release of one box of decisions typically signals one or two opinions.
Trump nominates Erica Schwartz to lead CDC
Donald Trump has selected Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concluding a months-long search for a permanent director. Schwartz served as deputy surgeon general during Trump’s first term. Her appointment requires Senate confirmation before she can officially assume the role.
Trump reacts to Strait of Hormuz reopening
Following Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial shipping, Donald Trump responded with a post on Truth Social in all caps:
"IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!"
CDC leadership vacuum hampers agency operations
Fourteen months after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as U.S. health secretary, the CDC remains in disarray. Approximately 80% of top director positions at the agency are vacant, with no permanent leader to coordinate policies affecting millions of Americans. This includes efforts to combat infectious diseases, heart conditions, and cancer screenings.
Current and former senior CDC officials told that productivity has slowed significantly due to bureaucratic delays and paperwork backlogs. The agency lacks coordination and has experienced breaks in critical data collection, including infant and maternal mortality statistics.
Supreme Court poised to issue opinions
Opinions from the Supreme Court are expected at 10 a.m. ET today. Three highly anticipated cases under close observation include:
- Louisiana v. Callais: A voting rights case where the conservative majority may weaken a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.
- Trump v. Cook: Donald Trump’s case regarding the firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook as he seeks greater control over the central bank.
- Trump v. Slaughter: A case examining the legality of firing Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter.
Donald Trump will begin the day in Las Vegas for meetings before traveling to Phoenix, Arizona, to deliver remarks at a Turning Point USA event at 2 p.m. ET. He will then return to Washington.
House approves bill protecting 350,000 Haitians from deportation
The House voted yesterday to extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. The vote was a rare bipartisan rebuke of Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, with 11 House Republicans joining Democrats to pass the bill 224 to 204.
Democrats warn FISA extension risks expanding surveillance powers
Several Congressional Democrats expressed concerns about section 702 of FISA, which the House voted early Friday to extend for 10 days.
Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, called the Republicans’ attempt to pass a five-year extension "unacceptable." He stated, "The bill does not enhance privacy protection. It risks expanding the ability of the Trump administration to spy on the American people."
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal opposed the five-year extension proposed by Republican House Majority Leader Mike Johnson, stating it failed to address loopholes allowing warrantless surveillance of communications between Americans and non-Americans abroad.
"Don’t be fooled: This bill simply continues the spying and surveillance of the American people," Jayapal said.
George Whitesides, a representative from Southern California, criticized the timing of the vote.
"We’re being asked to make our vote after midnight, with the final vote expected to be around 2 or 3 in the morning," Whitesides said. "This used to be unacceptable behavior for the House, but now it seems to be the main way they pass their difficult bills. It’s no way to run Congress or the nation."
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to resign at end of May
Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced he will step down at the end of May after a turbulent year implementing Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Lyons has led the agency since March 2025 and plans to move to the private sector, according to a statement from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
The statement did not specify Lyons’ successor. DHS and the White House have not responded to inquiries. Lyons’ departure occurs amid growing criticism of ICE’s aggressive tactics nationwide, including a recent incident during a traffic stop which Lyons defended.
Political divisions emerge over Section 702 of FISA
Republicans appear divided on Section 702. Jim Jordan, House Judiciary Committee chairman, voted against extending Section 702 two years ago, citing concerns about warrantless surveillance abuse. However, as of last month, he supports the extension, aligning with Trump.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson previously delayed reauthorization amid concerns about warrantless surveillance. Twenty Republicans voted against advancing an 18-month extension.
Some Democrats also show conflicting views. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, voted to renew the law in 2024 but now opposes renewal without reform, stating safeguards have been eroded by the Trump administration.
"These reforms relied on internal watchdogs to keep the intelligence agencies in line and on the Administration to accurately report its own abuses to Congress and the courts," Raskin wrote.
Four Democrats crossed party lines to vote with the Republican majority to pass the renewal.
House votes to extend FISA surveillance law for 10 days
The House of Representatives voted early Friday to briefly extend the expiring and controversial Section 702 of FISA until April 30 via unanimous consent. The vote followed the defeat of five-year and 18-month renewal attempts, with 208 Democrats and 20 Republicans opposing longer extensions.
Enacted in 2008, Section 702 permits national security agencies to collect and review communications involving foreigners outside the U.S., including communications between Americans and non-American targets abroad. The law includes a provision requiring periodic reauthorization, with expiration set for Monday.
Donald Trump advocated for an 18-month extension, describing the law as an "effective tool to keep Americans safe" and "extremely important to our military," especially during the war in Iran. This marks a shift from his earlier call to "end Section 702" after accusing the FBI of misusing it to spy on his 2016 campaign.
The CIA credits Section 702 with aiding in hostage rescues overseas and preventing a terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. Critics warn it enables warrantless surveillance of Americans. Prior to the vote, Congressman Ro Khanna stated:
"A yes vote gives Trump more power to surveil Americans. Every Democrat must vote no. Everyone who loves the constitution must vote no."
Donald Trump called for a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, to be followed by a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese leaders next week.
Progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia, endorsed by Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, won the Democratic primary for the U.S. House on Thursday. Mejia is notably critical of Israel and was the only candidate in the primary to label Israel’s actions during the Gaza war as genocide.
Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, is stepping down after a turbulent year implementing Trump’s immigration agenda.
Donald Trump nominated Erica Schwartz, former deputy surgeon general during his first administration, to lead the CDC. Schwartz faces opposition from critics of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who challenge his anti-vaccine positions. House Democrats questioned Kennedy intensely during an oversight hearing regarding vaccine rollbacks.
Speaking in Las Vegas, Trump stated, "the war in Iran is going along swimmingly, we can do whatever we want," without explaining why the U.S. military has been unable to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Eric Swalwell following his resignation from Congress, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Police in Illinois responded Wednesday evening to the home of John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo, following a bomb threat, as reported.
