April 5th

This week in MORE POWER:

Israel's Attack on Aid Workers
All Hands on Deck for Baltimore
To Spy or not to Spy

Running out of Time on Tax Bill
ICYMI

Congress has been on recess for two weeks. The Senate will return on Monday and the House on Tuesday.

Israel's Attack on Aid Workers

This week, the Israeli military admitted to killing seven foreign aid workers, including one U.S. citizen, who was trying to deliver food to starving Palestinians as part of a convoy from José Andrés led World Central Kitchen. The Israeli military subsequently fired two senior officers claiming it was a mistake and that the individuals had violated protocols, but the murders have elevated already strong concerns about Israel’s brutal onslaught of indiscriminate killings. President Biden had a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which his tone was perceived to be the harshest it has been since October 7. In response, Netanyahu has said he will allow more aid into Gaza. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 33,000. Many more people are injured and starving.

The violence is unpopular among most Americans, yet the Biden administration has sent $250 million worth of weapons to Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack, bypassing Congress by labeling them as emergency aid. Regular annual assistance to Israel is about $3.8 billion. The administration is expected to approve an additional sale of $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets in the coming days. Democratic members of Congress are raising concerns about continuing to send resources to Israel before they address the humanitarian crisis.

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All Hands on Deck for Baltimore

Biden is in Baltimore today touring the site of the Francis Key Scott Bridge collapse. He has pledged to front the entire cost of repairs but will have to get approval from Congress to send the funds. The White House has already approved $60 million in emergency funding and the full cost of repairs that Congress will have to approve could be over $1 billion. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District plans to reopen a portion of the impacted channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of this month. It is one of the most important ports in the nation, a key route for importing automobiles, coal, coffee, farm, and construction machinery.

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To Spy or not to Spy

Congress faces a decision on whether to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) by April 19. This section, originally intended to monitor foreign terrorists, has been reportedly used to spy on Americans, sparking concerns about privacy violations. Four bills have been introduced, with the Protect Liberty Act and the Government Surveillance Reform Act aiming to prevent future abuses.

Section 702 allows the government to collect communications of non-Americans abroad without warrants, inevitably including Americans' communications. Despite rules governing backdoor searches, abuse has been widespread. The Government Surveillance Reform Act proposes significant reforms, including warrant requirements for searches and closing data broker loopholes. The Protect Liberty Act is a compromise bill with important reforms but fewer changes. However, the intelligence committee's other two bills reauthorize section 702 without substantial reform and may expand surveillance.

You can use the links above to read about the bills and take action.

Running out of Time on Tax Bill

Tax Day is April 15 and the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 is stalled in the Senate after passing the House with strong bipartisan support, 357-70. The $78 billion package is designed to expand the child tax credit and reinstate business tax breaks, including extensions of tax breaks related to business research, capital expenses, and interest, alongside provisions for low-income housing development and disaster relief.

In Case You Missed It

Last week we covered a few other things to watch when Congress returns. Use the link to read about the drama surrounding Ukraine funding, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) threatening to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and impeachment articles for Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas heading to the Senate.