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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67 Articles
Tulsa World
Richmond Times-DispatchSenate refuses debate on FISA over Pulte
WASHINGTON — A showdown over President Donald Trump's pick of loyalist Bill Pulte as acting U.S. spy chief sharpened Friday, as concerns over his fitness for the post held up renewal of a foreign surveillance law in the Senate.
Congress still can’t decide what to do about warrantless surveillance
The deadline to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is coming up a week from now on June 12th, and legislators seem no closer to reaching a deal. If this sounds like deja vu, it's because we've been here before. Congress reauthorized Section 702 in late April - but only for 45 days, so lawmakers could negotiate reforms to the controversial wiretapping authority. "There were no reformers in any of the conversation…
Florida Sen. Rick Scott Slams ‘Unchecked’ Government Surveillance In High-Stakes FISA Vote - Tampa Free Press
Florida Senator Rick Scott voted against extending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on Friday morning, demanding major reforms to protect citizens from what he termed illegal government spying. The high-stakes vote came directly after a grueling 18-hour Senate debate over a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package. The legislative standoff capped off more than […] Florida Sen. Rick Scott Slams ‘Unchecked’ Government Su…
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 …
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