Congress Deadline on FISA Reauthorization and DNI Appointment
Lawmakers must decide by Friday whether to extend a warrantless surveillance program. A dispute over an acting intelligence director appointment has complicated efforts to secure bipartisan support.
Abc NewsCongress has until Friday to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or allow the program to lapse for the first time since its creation in 2008. The program permits the federal government to collect communications of foreigners abroad without a warrant, including when those individuals communicate with Americans. It has been renewed three times since enactment.
Trump selected the director of the U.S.
Federal Housing Finance Agency to serve as acting director of national intelligence. Democrats in both chambers have objected, stating the appointee lacks national intelligence experience. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president has the authority to make the choice and that the appointee would serve on an acting basis for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation.
Johnson stated lawmakers intend to pass the reauthorization this week. Moderate Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska posted that the president should reconsider the appointment, citing the program's role in providing over 50 percent of sensitive intelligence and stopping multiple terrorist attacks.
Johnson responded that linking the appointment to the reauthorization vote equates two separate issues and creates unnecessary risk.
The Senate defeated a procedural motion last Friday to advance a bipartisan reauthorization package. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said a four-corners agreement had been reached before the appointment announcement and that the timing of the announcement was not ideal.
Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton and Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley wrote to national security adviser Marco Rubio warning of a potential gap in foreign intelligence collection if the deadline is missed. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said reversing the temporary appointment would be a starting point but would not by itself secure Democratic support for a long-term extension.
House GOP leaders also face demands from some members for additional reforms, including a warrant requirement and a permanent ban on the Federal Reserve issuing a digital currency.
