Section 702 FISA renewal stalls after House vote fails amid dispute over Trump DNI pick

A key US surveillance authority looked set to briefly expire after the House failed to pass a stopgap extension on Thursday. The standoff centred on President Donald Trumps decision to keep Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Lawmakers warned the deadlock could limit foreign intelligence collection when the law ends at midnight Friday.

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Republicans and Democrats split in an unusual coalition during the House vote. Some Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in rejecting the temporary extension plan. The Senate was expected to consider its own vote later Thursday. However, support appeared uncertain as the dispute over leadership at intelligence agencies deepened.

FISA Section 702 renewal vote stalls over Bill Pulte

Democrats said a renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA, depended on Trump changing course. Democrats said support would come only if Trump withdrew Pultes appointment. Democrats also demanded a permanent nominee who could win Senate confirmation. Trump said Democrats were using the deadline as leverage.

"We cant let them extort us,\" Trump said of Democrats. Trump also asked Congress for a short-term extension to gain time. Trump said the delay would allow selection and confirmation of a permanent director. Trump added that Pulte should start shrinking intelligence agencies during the interim period.

FISA Section 702 lapse risk grows as Senate weighs options

The lapse risk alarmed lawmakers from both parties. \"Were going to ask every member here to do the right thing,\" said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. \"We cannot allow that to go dark.\" Johnson also said Trump viewed Pulte as short-term. Johnson described a brief assignment to renovate and downsize the office.

Section 702 allows the CIA, National Security Agency and FBI to collect communications. The targets are foreigners overseas, and no warrant is required. Privacy critics in both parties have sought limits for years. Still, many lawmakers backed renewal after a recent compromise bill. The impasse threatened restrictions as World Cup games begin nationwide.

The dispute also came before celebrations for the nations 250th anniversary. Supporters argued the tool remains important for overseas threats. Opponents said reforms were needed to protect Americans. Democrats said the White House had created an avoidable crisis. They also argued that qualifications for the top intelligence job mattered.

FISA Section 702 talks hit fresh dispute over intelligence leadership

House Democratic leaders opposed the extension and cited legal standards for the job. Their joint statement said Pulte lacked required national security experience. \"The apparent motivation for his elevation is the demonstrated willingness of Bill Pulte to search government databases for alleged dirt on President Trumps chosen political enemies,\" Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and the leadership team said.

Democratic leaders said the programme could still be renewed with changes. They said, \"They said there is a path to reauthorising FISA, but it will require enacting meaningful reforms.\" Their position linked the short-term extension to broader policy steps. Republicans argued the lapse would harm intelligence work. Democrats said the White House should send a qualified nominee.

FISA Section 702 faces uncertainty as GOP presses White House

Congressional Republicans said they urged Trump to quickly name a permanent replacement. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, said Republican leaders have made our views known to the White House. Trump said more time was needed. Trump said five candidates were being interviewed after the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard.

Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee also wrote to the president. Rep Jim Himes of Connecticut led the letter. They called Pulte unfit even for an acting role. \"He has distinguished himself only as someone who will do or say anything to stay in your good graces,\" Himes and the other lawmakers wrote, \"qualities that are precisely the opposite of what our nation needs.\"

Some sceptical lawmakers also focused on Pultes record at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. They pointed to criminal referrals tied to alleged mortgage fraud claims. The referrals involved public officials Trump sought to punish, including Letitia James. Other names included Sen Adam Schiff, D-Calif, and Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve board.

In the Senate, Virginia Sen Mark Warner backed the compromise bill but criticised the appointment. Warner called Pultes selection a live hand grenade disrupting the process. Warner said support for a short-term extension depended on a different acting leader. Warner said principal deputy director Aaron Lukas should serve during any extension period.

Other Senate leaders warned the administration to prepare for a lapse. Arkansas Sen Tom Cotton and Iowa Sen Chuck Grassley sent a letter on the risk. \"The administration should prepare for a potential significant gap in foreign intelligence collection,\" they wrote in a letter. Their warning added pressure as the Friday midnight deadline neared.

FISA Section 702 extension tied to search for new DNI nominee

Trump said last week Pulte would not be the permanent nominee. Still, Democrats and some Republicans wanted the acting appointment ended immediately. On Tuesday, Trump said Pulte would start earlier than planned, on June 19. The White House also explored other choices. One option mentioned was Pete Hoekstra, ambassador to Canada and a former House Intelligence Committee chair.

The White House contacted Hoekstra about the job, according to a person familiar with the outreach. The person requested anonymity to discuss private talks. No final decision was announced in the report. With time running short, lawmakers continued negotiating over leadership and reforms. The outcome would decide whether Section 702 authority briefly goes inactive.

The House failure left a narrow window for action before midnight Friday. The Senate could still vote, but agreement remained uncertain. Trump kept backing Pulte as acting head despite criticism over experience. Democrats continued to tie renewal to a change in leadership and reforms. Without a deal, intelligence agencies could face limits on collection abroad.

With inputs from PTI