Nathan Worcester

“There was no kind of debate on this anywhere" - @USTechWorkers' Kevin Lynn on OPT. If the Trump admin moves on it soon, an obscure immigration benefit could be thrust into the spotlight, sparking a public debate long in the making. Read more: theepochtimes.com/us/this-obscur… /8

2:08am ET Friday, April 17, 2026: House approved a two-week extension of FISA Section 702 surveillance authority through April 30 by unanimous consent, after members defeated a 5-year extension with changes (200-220) and a "clean" 18-month extension (197-228). Bill now heads to the Senate. Current FISA 702 authority expires Monday, April 20th at midnight.

House Intel ranking member Jim Himes (D-Conn.) — who supports a clean FISA extension and has been pushing Dems to not let it expire — just spoke with the GOP leadership whip team on the floor for a bit

A few Republicans are holding out on advancing the FISA bill; meanwhile, Amash and other commentators are raising questions about the scope of the warrant language (I previously posted something about it, but it needs some context.)

New on FISA warrants - The GOP amendment worked out by Johnson & conservatives includes the section “Warrant Requirement” for targeting info on a US person. But the provision actually doesn’t require that. It says “may seek.” Democrats say this amendment doesn’t really change current law

NEW: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is accusing Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) of misconduct, telling CBS News’ Major Garrett her office has provided Senate Majority Leader Thune’s staff with allegations related to Gallego that are “sexual in nature.” CBS News has reached out to Senator Gallego’s office for a response.

I asked Leader Jeffries if he's been a part of conversations with Golden and Davidson or other GOPers who might flip on Iran war powers. GOP Rep. Fitpatrick just came out with a resolution to terminate operations at the 60-day mark. Jeffries tells me he hasn't seen Fitzpatrick's resolution but notes that Democratic Rep. Gottheimer has one that will soon ripen. "For us to get this done, it has to be bipartisan, and we'll continue to engage with our Republican colleagues at different levels in advance of the 60-day mark or certainly once we hit that 60-day mark."

Johnson tells me he will put the FISA renewal on the floor tonight “It will be late tonight. But we’ll get it done.” Pergram: Mr. Speaker, where are we on the FISA negotiations? Johnson: We’re coming along. I’m very optimistic. We’re getting some of the final details agreed to by the various factions and I think we’ll have a good product. And I think we’ll get it done. Pergram: What sort of comproimise do you have to make to satisfy them? Johnson: I can’t get into details yet because we’re in the middle of that. But I think we’ll get it done. Pergram: And you’re going to try to move this on the floor tonight? Johnson: I am. Yeah. It will be late tonight. But we’ll get it done. Pergram: And the concern is that you have to get it done today because you might lose some people tomorrow and the Senate doesn’t come back until Monday and that’s right up against the deadline? Johnson: A bird in hand is worth several in the bush. I’ve got them all here and I need to get it done.

Shri Thanedar tells me he’s happy to see Republicans voting with Democrats on temporary protected status for Haiti. “Every time a Republican votes for Democrat [sic], it’s a good day.”

BREAKING: President Trump vows to look into the 10 scientists who have gone missing or turned up dead: "I hope it's random, but we're going to know in the next week and a half." "I just left a meeting on that subject." "Pretty serious stuff... Some of them were very important people, and we're going to look at it over the next short period." @pdoocy

Babydog was moving (being moved) fast.

Overheard in the Senate: “They started the vote early. That’s how much they want to leave now.”

I just viewed 2 Top Secret FISA docs. 1) FISA Court opinion that raises serious concerns about FBI implementation of FISA 702. 2) letter by Senator Wyden describing a secret government interpretation of FISA law. The Constitution requires I vote No on FISA 702 reauthorization.

Scheduling update: With House in chaos rn, Senate is currently expected to leave town for the weekend after the 1:45 pm vote. ✈️✈️✈️

This is the age of the Ortho-Bros and Thomo-Autists, of street-corner Chabadniks and cage-stage Calvinists. Get ready to argue about ancient texts. Gird your loins for the religious meme wars. x.com/IAPolls2022/st…

After the failed Iran war powers vote, which saw previous GOP "nay" Warren Davidson vote present, its sponsor, Greg Meeks, told reporters he's going to talk to Davidson. Meeks anticipated Davidson would hold. He says he "was working on" a Democratic "nay" voter Jared Golden.

NEW: Denmark to spend $4 billion on Arctic security. Some investments: - Special forces in Greenland - Air surveillance radar in Greenland - Two new Arctic vessels - A North Atlantic undersea cable - A new Joint Arctic Command HQ in Nuuk, Greenland's capital. Denmark has also announced that it is purchasing 16 new F-35 fighter jets (six of its 15 current F-35s are at a U.S. training base.)

Denmark’s Sorensen: “If the United States would like to have more military bases in Greenland, sit down and talk about it as we've gone always in the past.” He says the United States scaled back its presence there after the Cold War because of the US’s position, not Denmark.

Seen in the Senate subway: former Sen. Joe Manchin deep in conversation with Sen. Cory Booker.