Senate blocks extending key surveillance program following backlash over Trump pick to lead intel
Seven Republicans joined nearly all Democrats to block the vote, as senators cited Bill Pulte’s nomination and privacy groups pressed for a warrant requirement.
- On Friday, the Senate blocked a procedural motion to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, failing 47-52 and stalling renewal before the June 12 expiration deadline.
- President Donald Trump's appointment of Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence triggered bipartisan backlash over his lack of experience and past controversies.
- Seven Republicans joined Democrats opposing the measure, demanding a warrant requirement for accessing Americans' incidentally collected communications; Senator Mike Lee of Utah posted, "No warrant to protect Americans? No FISA."
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber will "take another run at it" next week but called Democratic opposition a "terribly irresponsible position," though he acknowledged the appointment timing "arguably wasn't the best."
- Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon argued the bipartisan vote proves "reform efforts transcend red and blue," emphasizing that Americans will not accept law-abiding citizens being spied on without judicial oversight.
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56 Articles
On Friday, the U.S. Senate blocked legislation that would renew the powers of intelligence services to spy on citizens abroad. Democratic opposition managed to gather some Republican votes, which hold the majority in the House, to make it difficult to pass this law, which expires on June 12.
FISA reauthorization stalls in early-morning Senate vote
Senate Republicans early Friday could not muster enough votes to move forward on a long-term reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving the key surveillance power, which expires next week, in limbo as both chambers leave the Capitol for the weekend. The Senate voted 47-52 on the motion to proceed to the measure, with a bipartisan cohort voting against the extension. Its opponents have been frustrated by …
Warrantless spying extension stalls in US Senate
Privacy advocates celebrated Friday after a Republican-led effort to extend warrantless spying powers failed to advance in the US Senate in the early hours of the morning, with seven GOP lawmakers joining every Democrat except Sen. John Fetterman in opposition. The failed vote was another stumble for supporters of renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which lets the federal government […] The post Warrantless …
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