House Vote Fails to Extend FISA Section 702, Leaving Warrantless Spy Authority to Expire Friday

A House vote on a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act failed Thursday, leaving the warrantless spy authority poised to expire at midnight Friday.

“Demcoratic Leader Jeffries Blames Failed FISA Surveillance Extension on President Trump | Video | C-SPAN”

C-SPAN

The Hill reported the measure would have extended Section 702 through July 2, but the vote ended 198-218 with seven Democrats voting in favor and 19 Republicans voting against.

CNBC

C-SPAN framed the outcome as Democratic Leader Jeffries blaming President Trump for the failed FISA surveillance extension.

The Hartford Courant said the House vote collapsed in bipartisan fashion, with 19 Republicans and nearly all Democrats rejecting the temporary measure, 198-218, and noted the law expires on Friday at midnight.

The dispute over the extension centered on President Donald Trump’s temporary pick of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, with Democrats saying they would not support renewal unless Trump withdrew the appointment and nominated a permanent replacement.

The Hartford Courant quoted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying “Pulte has to go,” adding “He cannot be in the DNI role,” and calling it “It’s too important.”

Common Dreams

Common Dreams reported that after privacy advocates blocked proposed extensions over a lack of reforms and concerns about acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, Trump announced a different man as his official nominee for the post.

In the same Common Dreams account, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was pleased to announce “the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet,” naming Jay Clayton.

After the failed House vote, Trump announced he was tapping Jay Clayton, a U.S. attorney who previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as his permanent pick as intelligence director.

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Common Dreams

The Hartford Courant said Schumer told reporters “Pulte has to go,” and warned “It’s too important,” while also describing the impasse as likely to produce limitations on what intelligence the U.S. government can collect abroad.

The Hill reported that Democrats refused to back the reauthorization due to objections to Trump installing Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence, and said the House leaving for a scheduled weeklong recess further dimmed chances to prevent a lapse.

Hartford Courant also warned that a lapse would not automatically deprive the government’s authority to conduct surveillance, but could open the door to court challenges and lead to stale intelligence, including the type of information included in the president’s daily briefing.