Senate Fails to Advance FISA Section 702 Reauthorization as Democrats Block Vote Over Trump's DNI Pick

The Senate failed to advance a bill to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in the early morning hours of Friday. Nearly every Senate Democrat and six Senate Republicans voted to block the procedural step needed to move the measure forward. President Trump named Bill Pulte to serve as Director of National Intelligence earlier this week.

Pulte currently directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency and was selected to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who left the post last month. The Director of National Intelligence oversees the country's 18 intelligence agencies. Democrats stated they would not support advancing the reauthorization because of the Pulte selection.

Sen. Mark Warner said he does not see how Democrats would supply the votes needed to reach 60. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the timing of the announcement, with just over a week until FISA 702 authorities expire, clearly makes passing an extension much harder.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued that Congress could not afford to go dark by not reauthorizing FISA. Thune stated that Senate Republicans will need Democratic support because some Republicans dislike the program. He called the Democratic position terrible and irresponsible.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she knows what Pulte has been doing in the housing sector but is not familiar with why the president would have selected him. Bill Pulte has no experience in the intelligence field.

Section 702 allows the government to spy on foreign nationals abroad and permits the incidental collection of data on Americans involved in communications with targeted foreign nationals. Congress has punted twice on the FISA issue. Senate Republican leadership hopes to have their bipartisan bill completed and shipped to the House before the June 12 deadline.