US surveillance law expires after lawmakers reject Trump's spy chief pick
Original: US surveillance law to expire for first time after lawmakers reject Trump’s controversial pick to lead spy agencies
Why This Matters
First expiration of critical surveillance law highlights political tensions over intelligence oversight
House failed to renew FISA Section 702 surveillance law before Friday expiration, voting 218-198 with 19 Republicans opposing. Law allows warrantless intelligence collection. Lawmakers protested Trump's controversial pick Bill Pulte for intelligence director.
The House of Representatives failed to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 before its Friday expiration, marking the first time the surveillance law will lapse. The bill received 218-198 votes but needed a two-thirds majority to pass. The law allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect vast amounts of information, including on Americans, to identify foreign threats. Bipartisan renewal efforts stalled over Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte, who has no intelligence experience, sparked fears he would attack political opponents. Democrats warned his appointment posed greater national security risks than letting the law expire. Trump withdrew Pulte's nomination Thursday, replacing him with Jay Clayton, former SEC head and current U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York.