Senate Blocks Vote on FISA Reauthorization Over Trump DNI Pick

The Senate failed to advance a procedural vote on reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in the early morning hours of June 5, 2026. Nearly every Senate Democrat and six Senate Republicans blocked the measure. The FISA reauthorization deadline is June 12, 2026.

Senate Republican leadership had hoped to complete a bipartisan bill and send it to the House before that date. President Trump named Bill Pulte to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence earlier this week. Pulte currently serves as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and was tapped to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who left the position last month.

Democrats stated they would not support advancing FISA reauthorization because of the selection of Pulte. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the timing of the announcement could not be worse, with just over a week until FISA 702 authorities expire, and charged that the move appeared to be a hastily considered backroom deal based on loyalty rather than national security. Sen.

Mark Warner stated that Democrats would not provide the votes needed to reach 60 if Pulte leads the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. "I don't see how you get the necessary Democrat votes… that would get them to 60," Warner said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Congress could not afford to let FISA lapse.

"We need some help from Democrats, obviously, and I think it's a terrible irresponsible position that they've taken," Thune said. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she knows what Bill Pulte has been doing in the housing sector but is not familiar with why the president would have selected him.

Section 702 allows the government to spy on foreign nationals abroad and permits collection of data on Americans if they happen to be involved in communications with targeted foreign nationals. Bill Pulte has no experience in the intelligence field. The Director of National Intelligence oversees the country's 18 intelligence agencies.

Senate Republican leadership hopes to have a bipartisan bill completed and sent to the House before the June 12 deadline.