House votes on short-term renewal of FISA Section 702 as June 12 deadline nears

House Rejects Short-Term Spy Law Extension As GOP Races To Preserve FISA Surveillance Tool Before Friday Deadline

House Rejects Short-Term Spy Law Extension As GOP Races To Preserve FISA Surveillance Tool Before Friday Deadline Update (1100ET): A key spy law could expire after the House blocked its short-term reauthorization. The June 11 vote set back an effort to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). President Trump’s selection of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence drove Democratic opposition to reauthorizing Section 702. Some Republicans have voiced concerns about how the authority, though targeted at foreigners abroad, enables the incidental warrantless surveillance of Americans. The White House could attempt to bridge the gap with an executive order. In a June 6 letter to the White House, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recommended such a course of action in anticipation of a possible lapse. As American Greatness detailed earlier, The House is preparing to vote on a short-term extension of a key federal surveillance program after Senate negotiations stalled, setting up a battle over national security authorities that are set to expire this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, announced Wednesday that the chamber will vote Thursday morning on a temporary reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, extending the authority through July 2. The vote comes ahead of a Friday deadline and follows resistance in the Senate, where Democrats blocked efforts to quickly advance a similar extension. “We’re not having a great amount of confidence that they’re going to be able to get that done,” Johnson said of the Senate. “So, the House will once again do our job.” The push for a short-term extension gained momentum after President Donald Trump urged Congress to act following a meeting with Johnson earlier Wednesday. “FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “If nothing is done, this important Law will expire this week. I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency,” the president added. Section 702 has long been viewed by intelligence officials as a critical tool for gathering foreign intelligence and monitoring threats to national security. However, the effort to extend the program has become entangled in a political dispute over Trump’s appointment of housing official Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Senate Democrats have insisted they will not support a reauthorization agreement while Pulte remains in the position. Johnson must also contend with opposition from conservative Republicans who have repeatedly called for reforms to the surveillance program. Several GOP lawmakers have argued that any extension should include a warrant requirement before federal agencies can access certain information. Asked whether he would support the temporary extension, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-TN., said, “probably not,” citing the lack of a warrant provision. If the House measure fails, Section 702 is expected to expire on June 12. The timing has concerned supporters of the program because Congress is scheduled to leave Washington for a one-week recess after Thursday’s votes. Unless House leadership changes those plans, lawmakers would not return until June 23. The recess would leave the surveillance authority inactive during a period that includes World Cup events expected to attract large international crowds as well as celebrations connected to America’s 250th anniversary. Tyler Durden Thu, 06/11/2026 - 11:15

9 hours ago

As Spy Law Nears Expiration, Lawmakers Mull Short-Term Renewal

As Spy Law Nears Expiration, Lawmakers Mull Short-Term Renewal Authored by Nathan Worcester via The Epoch Times, President Donald Trump’s pick for a key intelligence post has left Democrats and Republicans at odds over a spy law set to lapse on June 12. As the clock ticks down, lawmakers are contemplating Trump’s latest proposal: another short-term extension of the authority while the president searches for a permanent nominee other than his chosen acting director of national intelligence, Bill Pulte. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the government to spy on foreign targets outside the United States. It has long been controversial, in part because Americans can also be caught up in its warrantless surveillance dragnet. Section 702’s defenders stress its importance to national security, the risks of allowing it to expire, and the strength of the 2024 reforms to the program. The provision was renewed in late April for a period of 45 days as some lawmakers pushed for reforms to the law. Also in late April, the House passed a three-year renewal of the spy law with some reforms, though without new warrant requirements. Democrats raised concerns with re-upping it after Trump selected Pulte as acting director of national intelligence (DNI). Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a close Trump ally, is set to replace outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard on June 19 while retaining his other duties. Acting appointments do not require Senate confirmation—but Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate appeared less than enthusiastic about the selection after Trump announced it on June 2. When asked about Pulte on June 2, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who lost the GOP Senate primary to Trump-backed Ken Paxton, told reporters, “I see no evidence of any qualifications for that job.” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) speaks at a rally for his Senate primary campaign in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 17, 2026. Nathan Worcester/The Epoch Times That same day, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, declined to comment on Pulte’s fitness for the position when asked about him. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), ranking member of the intelligence committee, voiced shock and disapproval of Trump’s selection at a June 2 hearing, noting that Pulte lacked experience in law enforcement, the military, and other relevant domains. He also warned that the pick could undermine public confidence in Section 702. On June 5, almost all Senate Democrats, joined by some Republicans, blocked a measure to renew the provision. With the Pulte controversy brewing, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) met with Trump at the White House on June 9. Johnson’s staff confirmed the meeting to The Epoch Times but did not elaborate on what was discussed. On June 10, Trump laid out a new path forward on Truth Social. “I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent head of the agency,” the president wrote. Some Senate Democrats continued to express concern about Pulte and Trump’s plan. Warner told reporters he was not sure if there were enough votes to advance a short-term extension of the authority. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) speaks at a campaign event for Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate former Rep. Abigail Spanberger at H Mart in Centreville, Va. on Nov. 2, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) told reporters he would “listen to Senator Warner, adding that the choice of Pulte was “the best way to sabotage [Section] 702.” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a frequent critic of Section 702, told The Epoch Times he had not seen Trump’s proposal, adding, “There’s no votes for this bill while Bill Pulte is still on the job.” Yet, some key Democrats and aligned lawmakers signaled more optimism. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who is expected to succeed outgoing Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in leadership, told reporters he was open to a short-term extension. He said he doesn’t anticipate the provision will lapse on June 12. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, told reporters a short-term extension could pass muster with him if it came with a clear timeline. However, he said he would have issues with Pulte staying in the role “for an indefinite period.” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told The Epoch Times he had no problems with Pulte. “If he wants him to be acting as short-term [DNI], that’s fine,“ he said. ”If he wants to nominate him permanently, that’s fine by me.” Hawley told reporters he would not raise opposition to a short-term extension of the authority. Tyler Durden Wed, 06/10/2026 - 22:35

21 hours ago