{"id":2611885,"date":"2026-06-08T08:24:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:24:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fisa-spy-tool-to-lapse-june-12-unless-deal-can-get-done\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T08:28:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:28:05","slug":"fisa-spy-tool-to-lapse-june-12-unless-deal-can-get-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fisa-spy-tool-to-lapse-june-12-unless-deal-can-get-done\/","title":{"rendered":"FISA spy tool to lapse June 12 unless deal can get done"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffisa-spy-tool-to-lapse-june-12-unless-deal-can-get-done%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2611885&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A key U.S. government surveillance authority under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is set to expire Friday unless Congress extends it. A Senate push to pass a three-year extension failed when seven Republicans sided with Democrats to derail a procedural vote needed to begin floor consideration.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority leader john Thune said Republicans will try again ahead of a June 12 deadline, but they need Democratic votes to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold.Democrats are withholding support because President Donald Trump appointed housing official Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, and they argue Pulte previously pushed actions against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/intel-committee-lawmakers-say-they-havent-spoken-with-bill-pulte\/\" title=\"Intel committee lawmakers say they haven&#039;t spoken with Bill Pulte\">trump political opponents<\/a> through mortgage-fraud-related referrals.Democratic lawmakers contend that the legitimacy of warrantless FISA surveillance shouldn\u2019t depend on which officials hold specific government posts.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, several conservative senators oppose the measure for not including stronger limits such as a warrant requirement, warning the current system can sweep up information involving U.S. citizens. While the failed Senate deal included some privacy protections and a three-year ban on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >central bank digital currencies<\/a> (CBDCs), the reforms weren\u2019t enough to win over the holdouts.<\/p>\n<p>Congress has already relied on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-budget-director-shalanda-young-refuses-to-give-mccarthy-credit-for-spending-deal\/\" title=\"Shalanda Young, Biden&#039;s budget director, denies McCarthy credit for spending ....\">short-term extensions<\/a> earlier this year to keep the programme running, and if the current authorities lapse the surveillance tool would go dark. The article also notes that even if the Senate passes a new version, it could face major resistance in the House-where Freedom Caucus hardliners are pressing for a permanent CBDC ban and have important influence given the House\u2019s narrow majority.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A key federal spy tool is at risk of sunsetting on Friday unless <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"31\">Congress<\/a> passes an extension of the authority that allows the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/government\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1315\">government<\/a> to surveil foreign persons without a warrant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Senate deal to extend Section 702 of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fisa\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"921\">Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act<\/a> for three years was upended last week <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4596452\/seven-republicans-vote-against-fisa-extension-bipartisan-plan-blows-up\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4596452\/seven-republicans-vote-against-fisa-extension-bipartisan-plan-blows-up\/\">after seven Republicans joined almost all Democrats<\/a>, except for Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), to tank a procedural vote to kick off consideration of the extension on the floor.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4597537\/government-spy-powers-fisa-702-deadline-congress\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Government spy powers to lapse Friday unless Congress can strike deal<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4598160\/tim-walz-minnesota-whistleblowers-oversight\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Walz administration used outside investigators to punish whistleblowers, oversight committee finds<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4597287\/deep-pocket-super-pac-progressive-candidate-vows-ban-outside-groups\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Deep-pocketed super PAC backs progressive candidate as she vows to ban outside groups<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The failure to advance the Senate\u2019s extension of Section 702 is the latest roadblock in a monthslong battle to pass a long-term deal for the government surveillance program. Congress has had to pass two short-term extensions this year to keep the program viable, with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11272\">House<\/a> passing three deals, one of which was rejected by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said Friday that the upper chamber will \u201ctake another run at\u201d renewing the spy program ahead of the June 12 deadline, but acknowledged Republicans will need \u201csome help from Democrats,\u201d who pulled their support for the bipartisan deal over President Donald Trump\u2019s appointment of housing official <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-pulte\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"22738\">Bill Pulte<\/a> as acting intelligence chief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democratic support for an extension of the surveillance program will be necessary to overcome the chamber\u2019s 60-vote filibuster threshold. But Democrats are withholding their support over Pulte\u2019s nomination, arguing he has used his tenure as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make criminal referrals against Trump political opponents for allegations of mortgage fraud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said in a Friday statement that \u201cBill Pulte\u2019s appointment as acting Director of National Intelligence is a symptom of the larger problem: Warrantless FISA surveillance depends on a handful of government officials to choose not to misuse the most powerful spying apparatus the world has ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFiring Pulte won\u2019t solve the real problem,\u201d Wyden continued. \u201cAmericans are demanding real protections written into the law, not promises that the next guy will be trustworthy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thune has criticized Democrats\u2019 refusal to vote for the three-year extension due to Pulte\u2019s appointment, calling it a \u201cdangerous game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Republican Sens. Tommy Tuberville (AL), Rick Scott (FL), Rand Paul (KY), Eric Schmitt (MO), Josh Hawley (MO), Mike Lee (UT), and John Kennedy (LA) opposed the measure over the lack of a warrant requirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conservative hardliners have been pushing for reforms, including a warrant requirement, to be included in any extension of the spy power, arguing the current rules allow the government to spy on U.S. citizens as well. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe can\u2019t give the swamp unchecked power to spy on law-abiding Americans,\u201d Scott said in a statement on X. \u201cWarrants MUST be required to protect our constitutional liberties and uphold the Fourth Amendment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key government spy tool, which allows the U.S. government to collect data of foreign nationals located abroad, has been criticized in recent years, as U.S. citizens\u2019 communications can be swept into intelligence agencies\u2019 search queries if they are in contact with those individuals. Critics argue the program allows the collection of private citizens\u2019 information without court approval, while advocates maintain the tool is crucial for national security.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scrutiny over the FBI\u2019s use of surveillance tools was heightened after the 2016 investigation into the Trump campaign\u2019s alleged ties to Russia, of which a 2019 Justice Department inspector general report found significant errors and omissions during the investigation by the intelligence agency.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Senate deal did contain new protections meant to win over privacy hawks, as well as a three-year ban on central bank digital currencies, a deal sweetener for House Freedom Caucus members, who have long pushed for a ban on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/beware-the-big-brother-digital-dollar-that-will-take-your-freedom\/\" title=\"Watch out for the &#039;Big Brother&#039; digital dollar that will strip away your freedom.\">federal digital currency<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But ultimately, the reforms were not enough to win over the GOP holdouts. Republican leadership will now have to work to find a solution to advance the extension, or the program will go dark on Friday, when a 45-day extension passed by Congress <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4549690\/senate-jam-house-fisa-extension-excluding-digital-currency-ban\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4549690\/senate-jam-house-fisa-extension-excluding-digital-currency-ban\/\">back in April<\/a> is set to expire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One House Republican aide told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Democratic opposition to an extension over Pulte\u2019s nomination \u201cworked out in our favor, ironically,\u201d giving House GOP hardliners more leverage, and time, to get their demands into a deal. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If passed, the three-year Senate deal would face an uphill battle in the House, as hardliners are pushing for a permanent ban on central bank digital currencies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said without a permanent ban, a FISA extension would be a \u201cnonstarter.\u201d He and other caucus members have outsize sway given Johnson\u2019s two-seat majority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf they want to bring this under a rule in the House, it\u2019s going to have to include a permanent ban on CBDC,\u201d Harris added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talks with hardliners in the House are ongoing. On Thursday, members of the House Freedom Caucus and House intelligence committee met in a SCIF to discuss the FISA program, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, as the national security hawks look to convince the conservative hardliners to support an extension.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, without Democratic support in the Senate, the upper chamber will not be able to send its version to the House for consideration, and it is unlikely that Democrats will support any extension of FISA without the White House pulling Pulte from his temporary position as director of national intelligence. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4597401\/how-thune-overcame-trump-roadblock-fund-ice\/\"><strong>HOW THUNE OVERCAME A TRUMP-SIZED ROADBLOCK TO FUNDING ICE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When asked whether the White House could do anything to help get Democrats on board, short of removing Pulte, Thune told reporters, \u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thune added that he has spoken with Pulte and that the housing official is \u201ccommitted to implementing all the 702 reforms,\u201d noting that he thinks the issue of the national intelligence chief should be dealt with separately. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Democrats blocking us getting on the bill and then eventually passing it, I think, is a really dangerous position to take for the country,\u201d Thune said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A federal spy tool may expire Friday unless Congress extends FISA Section 702, jeopardized by a Senate procedural vote after Republican defections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2611886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26154667179131-e1780583660717.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[19971,4762,50611,81003,14429],"class_list":["post-2611885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-fisa","tag-legislation","tag-national-security-2","tag-spy-tools","tag-surveillance"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26154667179131-e1780583660717.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2611885"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2611889,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2611885\/revisions\/2611889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2611886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2611885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2611885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2611885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}