Hakeem Jeffries Demands Removal of Bill Pulte for Support on Spy Powers Extension

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has stated that he will not support the extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act unless acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte is removed from his position. Jeffries expressed this position during a press conference on Monday, stating, "Reversing the Bill Pulte appointment is a starting point, not an ending point." House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) disagreed, saying that reversing Pulte’s appointment is not necessary for passing the extension and warned against linking the two issues. Democratic support is essential for the extension, as over 90 House Democrats had previously supported a short-term extension in April, which is set to expire on June 12. A Senate proposal to extend Section 702 for three years was recently disrupted after most Democrats withdrew their support due to Pulte's appointment. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated that the Senate will attempt to renew the spy program before the deadline, but will require Democratic cooperation to overcome the filibuster threshold. Democrats are currently withholding support, citing concerns over Pulte's past actions while serving in other government roles.