This week: NSA reform bill tops agenda

Senators are working toward passage of a bill to reform the National Security Agency’s (NSA) bulk metadata collection program, after agreeing to move forward with the legislation late Sunday.

The USA Freedom Act overcame a series of procedural hurdles Sunday night, but senators weren’t able to prevent provisions of the Patriot Act from expiring, and the NSA’s program from shutting down, at midnight Sunday. 

{mosads}Instead, they’re expected to vote on a handful of amendments this week, as well another procedural vote as soon as Tuesday, paving the way for final passage. 

The USA Freedom Act passed the House in a resounding 338-88 vote last month. It would effectively prevent the NSA from collecting bulk metadata about the phone numbers people dial and when their calls are placed. Instead, the agency would have to ask private companies for a narrow set of records tied to a particular case. 

Supporters of the bill, including the Obama administration and House Republicans, worked to pressure Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) into dropping his opposition to the bill over the weeklong Memorial Day recess. That appeared to work with McConnell and other Republicans voting to move forward with the bill on Sunday. 

Appropriations

The House will vote on the fourth 2016 spending bill this week when it considers the measure funding the departments of Justice and Commerce, as well as federal science programs.

The $51.4 billion measure will likely attract a multitude of amendments aimed at the Justice Department, one of the GOP’s regular Obama administration targets. Debate is expected to consume hours of floor time since it will be considered under a freewheeling process allowing an unlimited number of amendments.

Potential amendments could include increasing the $15 million allocation for a program that would provide law enforcement with body cameras, preventing the Justice Department from barring states’ implementation of medical marijuana laws and lifting restrictions on transferring detainees from the Guantanamo Bay facility.

If there is time, the House may also consider a fifth appropriations bill this week funding the departments of Transportation as well as Housing and Urban Development. 

The House has passed three other appropriations bills for Military Construction-Veterans’ Affairs, Energy-Water and Legislative Branch. Meanwhile, the Senate has yet to begin floor consideration of any 2016 spending measures. Democrats have pledged to block any spending bills that adhere to sequestration levels.

Below is a day-by-day breakdown of the week ahead:

Monday

The House will convene at noon for morning hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Votes on noncontroversial bills considered under suspension of the rules will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. Members will also debate a bill exempting fishery management actions from environmental analysis requirements and establish new rules in their place.

The Senate will convene at noon and restart debate of the USA Freedom Act. 

Tuesday

The House will convene at 10 a.m. for morning hour debate and noon for legislative business. Members will likely begin consideration of the Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill.

Senators are expected to take a procedural vote on the USA Freedom Act Tuesday morning. They’ll also recess from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m. for weekly party lunches. 

Wednesday – Thursday

The House and Senate will likely work toward resolving the expired provisions of the Patriot Act.

— Rebecca Shabad contributed.