January 1, House Survives ICE Showdown, Moves Big Spending

Wyatt’s Take

• Rule vote passed 214-213, opening debate on two spending bills.
• Midwestern Republicans demanded support for year-round ethanol fuel sales (E15).
• Democrats forced safeguards for ICE agents but still oppose more money for the agency.

Speaker Mike Johnson cut deals with Republicans to keep the plan alive, forming a new council for ethanol sales and agreeing to push for legislative recommendations by next February.

Some lawmakers threatened to block the bill over EPA limits on E15, but last-minute changes kept them on board.

The House also targeted a controversial data provision, forcing the Senate to drop rules that could allow lawsuits over phone data.

Democrats insisted ICE reforms, including body cameras and extra training, were needed after a deadly Minnesota incident.

Many still argue the DHS bill falls short of reigning in ICE’s actions.

A final vote on these bills is set for Thursday, with most Democrats still likely to oppose the DHS side.

House passage would send both packages to the Senate for further consideration.

If you care where your money goes and how lawmakers fight for your safety, keep watching these votes.

The backroom deals and pressure from regular folks made a real difference this week.

Wyatt Matters

The struggle over ICE and ethanol fuels shows how everyday issues shape Capitol Hill fights. Heartland concerns about farm fuel and border security matter for working families who need accountability and good jobs.

Read the full story here