Congress Leaves Washington Without Renewing FISA Surveillance Law

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Congress left Washington without renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, allowing a key foreign surveillance authority used to track foreign terrorists and national security threats to expire Friday.

Republicans in the House and Senate tried Thursday to pass a three-week extension, but Democrats and a minority of Republicans blocked the effort. The House failed to pass the measure in a 198-218 vote, while Senate Democrats objected to a similar request from Sen. Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Democrats are opposing renewal as they pressure President Donald Trump to withdraw William J. Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Trump called the demand “extortion” and said Pulte’s appointment will proceed June 19.

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned the lapse could leave the country more vulnerable.

“I pray that we do not have a serious calamity on our shores over the next few weeks,” Johnson said, calling Democrats’ move “shameful” and “dangerous.”

Section 702, enacted in 2008, allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications from foreign targets without a warrant. Officials say it has helped stop terrorist plots, including an al Qaeda-linked plan to attack the New York City subway system in 2009.

Some Republicans also opposed the extension, citing concerns that Americans’ communications may be swept up in foreign surveillance searches.

The standoff comes as the U.S. faces heightened security concerns, including the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, and ongoing tensions with Iran.

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