A key federal spy tool is at risk of sunsetting on Friday unless Congress passes an extension of the authority that allows the government to surveil foreign persons without a warrant.The failure to advance the Senate’s extension of Section 702 is the latest roadblock in a monthslong battle to pass a long-term deal for the government surveillance program. Congress has had to pass two short-term extensions this year to keep the program viable, with the House passing three deals, one of which was rejected by the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said Friday that the upper chamber will “take another run at” renewing the spy program ahead of the June 12 deadline, but acknowledged Republicans will need “some help from Democrats,” who pulled their support for the bipartisan deal over President Donald Trump’s appointment of housing official Bill Pulte as acting intelligence chief.
Democratic support for an extension of the surveillance program will be necessary to overcome the chamber’s 60-vote filibuster threshold. But Democrats are withholding their support over Pulte’s nomination, arguing he has used his tenure as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make criminal referrals against Trump political opponents for allegations of mortgage fraud.
