Republicans are conceding President Donald Trump may need to replace Bill Pulte, his choice to lead the nation’s intelligence community, if Congress is to extend the government’s expiring foreign spy powers.The GOP-controlled chambers will need Democrats to avert a lapse of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, something Democrats are unwilling to do unless Pulte, also the federal housing finance regulator, is relieved of his second post as acting director of national intelligence.Republicans have gently acknowledged the writing on the wall of how to get the vital Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster and counteract defections among their own ranks ahead of the Friday deadline.
“I think I’ll let the White House speak to whatever the next plan might be there, but we need — we can’t pass this on the floor without Democrats,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). “All I know is, we have a deadline ahead of us. We need Democrat votes.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who recently lost his primary to Trump-backed Ken Paxton, said he was “still seeking any evidence of qualifications” for Pulte to undertake the national security role. Trump has vowed not to keep him in the role permanently, a pledge that’s failed to assuage Democrats’ concerns.
