The Senate did not advance the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) due to opposition related to President Donald Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Nearly all Senate Democrats and six Senate Republicans blocked a procedural motion early Friday morning. The deadline for reauthorizing FISA is approaching next week.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that Congress cannot afford to let FISA lapse and expressed hope for a change in Democratic support when the Senate reconvenes. Thune noted that he would require Democratic votes for reauthorization due to some Republican opposition to the program.
Pulte, currently the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was appointed by Trump to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who left the DNI position last month. His lack of experience in intelligence has raised concerns among lawmakers, particularly among Democrats. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, indicated that Democrats would likely not support FISA reauthorization with Pulte in charge.
Senator Lisa Murkowski remarked on the unexpected nature of Pulte's selection, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the timing of the appointment, suggesting it complicates efforts to extend FISA. The ongoing debate over FISA has highlighted bipartisan concerns regarding privacy protections, especially regarding Section 702, which permits surveillance of foreign nationals but can inadvertently collect data on Americans involved in communications.