Speaker Mike Johnson is gearing up for another attempt to extend a crucial spy powers law on Thursday, following a postponement caused by a GOP revolt that blocked a vote the previous day. The House is set to conduct a procedural vote at 3:15 p.m., with the final decision slated for around 5:00 p.m.

Late Wednesday, in a conversation with POLITICO, Johnson expressed optimism, suggesting that negotiators required "a few more hours" to finalize a compromise. This comes as concerns intensify among conservatives about the inadvertent surveillance of U.S. citizens.

Negotiations continue between White House officials and staunch House GOP members. According to sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, no agreement has been reached yet. These sources indicate that a deal by Friday now appears more feasible, which could potentially push Johnson to delay the vote further if not settled before the Monday deadline of the law's expiration.

The internal GOP conflict unfolds as President Donald Trump calls for an 18-month extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This section is crucial for gathering foreign intelligence but has stirred controversy due to concerns about privacy and civil liberties.

Johnson's urgency is compounded by the need to pass the extension to the Senate before Monday, risking a rare weekend session to prevent a lapse in these spy powers.

In the midst of these discussions, House ultraconservatives are advocating for an amendment that would introduce warrant requirements, drawing upon a proposal from Louisiana Republican Rep. Clay Higgins. This amendment aims to address concerns over privacy and the scope of government surveillance.

Meanwhile, the White House, already dealing with a Department of Homeland Security shutdown, is eager to finalize this deal. Their goal is to shift focus to a party-line immigration enforcement bill, aiming to resolve the ongoing funding disruption.

As the clock ticks down, Johnson's leadership and the ability to forge a consensus within his party and with the administration are put to the test, underlining the high stakes involved in national security and governmental surveillance practices.