WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted down a bill Thursday that would have extended the intelligence community’s warrantless surveillance powers by three weeks.
The measure, which needed a two-thirds majority to pass, failed to even get a simple majority, with 198 voting in favor and 218 voting against. Nineteen Republicans voted against the extension, while seven Democrats and independent Kevin Kiley of California voted for it.
The spying authority, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, will expire at 11:59 p.m. Friday unless Congress approves an extension. So far, lawmakers have refused to do so in protest of President Trump appointing federal housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence to replace Tulsi Gabbard.
“There’s really not a negotiation until the president backs away from Bill Pulte,” Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, told Punchbowl News. “And that is a near-unanimous belief in this building. That is not a Democratic thing.”
Even before the controversy over Pulte, Republican leaders have faced unrest over Section 702, due to concerns about it being abused. The law enables the US government to surveil non-Americans abroad without first going before a judge to get a warrant.
However, that surveillance often sweeps up communications of American citizens in the process. The controversial spy power had been reformed in 2024, but some critics want additional changes.
Back in April, Congress agreed to a 45-day FISA extension due to a conflict between the House and Senate over several provisions, including whether to tack on a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) ban.
Gabbard announced last month that she would step down June 30 after her husband, Abraham, was diagnosed with bone cancer. Trump then appointed Pulte to the role in an acting capacity beginning June 19 until a permanent replacement could be found.
Pulte has served as the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency since March of last year. During his tenure, he launched probes — and in some cases, made criminal referrals — of Trump foes including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook.
Trump suggested that Pulte would only have the role for a short period of time and would investigate “rigged elections,” raising fears that the White House would try to weaponize the intelligence community ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
On Wednesday, Trump urged Congress to approve a short-term extension of FISA Section 702, warning about the national security implications of failing to do so.
“Just like they did on Border Funding, the Radical Left Dumocrats are trying to take our National Security hostage because of unrelated issues,” Trump fumed on Truth Social Wednesday. “I am looking for a permanent ODNI Nominee with experience in National Security.”
“FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations. If nothing is done, this important Law will expire this week,” he went on.
“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.”
The House was scheduled to break for a 10-day recess at the end of Thursday.
