A major US spying tool is now headed for its first-ever lapse. The House on Thursday rejected a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a program that lets US agencies monitor foreign targets without a warrant and can incidentally sweep up Americans’ communications. The temporary fix, which needed two-thirds support but failed 218-198, would have pushed the law’s expiration to July 2. Instead, it’s now poised to sunset Friday night, with the House not set to return until June 23, reports Politico. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson does not plan to recall members for a new vote before then, because “What would be the point?”
The vote collapsed amid a revolt by House Democrats angered over President Trump’s plan to install political ally Bill Pulte, who lacks national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence; only seven Democrats backed the extension, notes the Hill. Nineteen Republicans also opposed it, some demanding new privacy safeguards. GOP leaders argue the administration can keep the program alive via executive order, though tech companies could challenge that in court. “Anybody who votes ‘no’ is casting a dangerous vote,” warned House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, while Democrats led by Hakeem Jeffries insisted they cannot support reauthorization without “significant reforms.” A similar extension looks set to fail in the Senate.
