The House will vote Thursday morning on a short-term reauthorization of a key government spy program ahead of a Friday deadline, taking control of the surveillance authority’s future as talks in the Senate stall. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) announced Wednesday that the House will vote on a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that will extend the program until July 2, after Senate Democrats rejected an attempt to fast-track a short-term measure. “We’re not having a great amount of confidence that they’re going to be able to get that done,” said Johnson, referring to the Senate. “So, the House will once again do our job.”
The effort to pass a brief reauthorization patch to avoid the lapsing of the government surveillance program comes after President Donald Trump called on Congress to do so earlier on Wednesday following a meeting with Johnson.
“FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “If nothing is done, this important Law will expire this week. I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency.”
