Trump pushes short FISA renewal as Section 702 nears June 12 lapse
Why it matters: Without a deal, US agencies lose warrantless authority to monitor foreigners’ emails, texts and phone data.
President Donald Trump pressed Congress on June 10 to pass a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as a standoff over his choice of Bill Pulte for acting director of national intelligence threatened to sink the bill before a June 12 deadline. Trump said Pulte would take over on June 19 and oversee cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, while he searches for a permanent nominee with national security experience. Democrats said they would not back renewal while Pulte remains in the job. Seven Republicans also opposed the measure, citing privacy concerns, leaving the program short of votes in the Senate.