Senate Democrats appeared ready to reject President Donald Trump’s request for a short-term extension of a key surveillance authority Wednesday, arguing the president’s promise to eventually find a permanent intelligence head wasn’t good enough.
The action deepened a legislative standoff over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the U.S. government to collect digital communications of foreigners located outside the country.
Statutory authority for the program expires Friday. But Democrats have vowed to hold up the renewal if Trump moves forward in appointing Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence.
Although Trump has doubled down on Pulte, he asked Congress in a Truth Social post Wednesday to pass a short-term extension to “provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency.” Pulte will take over as the temporary director June 19.
GOP lawmakers began entertaining the idea of a three-week extension, and the Senate is expected to try and pass that by unanimous consent as early as Thursday. The House is also expected to vote on a short-term extension Thursday morning.
