Congress let a key spy power lapse over a month ago. In the few legislative days left ahead of August recess, lawmakers don’t appear to be in any rush to change that.
Discussions in the House have stalled as they wait for the Senate to move — even though Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., once warned that “roughly 65 percent” of President Donald Trump’s daily security briefing depends on keeping the authority humming.
Members of both parties had issued breathless warnings about what could happen if they didn’t act to extend section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before it expired June 12, calling it a make-or-break task.
While the surveillance reauthorization dominated debate in June, lawmakers have now shifted focus in July to other priorities, like the GOP’s new “reconciliation 3.0” bill.
The spy authority allows the U.S. government to collect digital communications of foreigners located outside the country. Without it, proponents say the intelligence community would be flying blind.
