{"id":2612305,"date":"2026-06-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-warnings-mount-over-bill-pulte-as-democrats-vow-fisa-revolt\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T08:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T12:01:17","slug":"gop-warnings-mount-over-bill-pulte-as-democrats-vow-fisa-revolt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-warnings-mount-over-bill-pulte-as-democrats-vow-fisa-revolt\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP warnings mount over Bill Pulte as Democrats vow FISA revolt"},"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\">22<\/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%2Fgop-warnings-mount-over-bill-pulte-as-democrats-vow-fisa-revolt%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=2612305&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>Republicans are signaling that President Donald Trump may have to remove Bill Pulte-his pick to lead the intelligence community-if Congress wants to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) before it expires Friday. GOP leaders say they need Democratic votes to avoid a lapse, but Democrats are refusing to support an extension unless Pulte is withdrawn from his second role as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/developing-trump-to-meet-with-acting-defense-secretary-chris-miller-in-the-oval-office-at-330-pm\/\" title=\"DEVELOPING: ... to Meet with Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller in the Oval Office at 3:30 PM\">acting director<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fncs-carlson-if-youre-looking-for-election-rigging-look-no-further-than-media-treatment-of-hunter-biden-saga\/\" title=\"FNC&#039;s Carlson: &#039;If You&#039;re Looking for Election Rigging, Look No Further&#039; Than Media Treatment of Hunter Biden Saga\">national intelligence<\/a>, which Trump has said he will not keep permanently.  <\/p>\n<p>The administration and some Republicans argue Section 702 is essential for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senators-wont-reauthorize-warrantless-wiretapping-fbi-used-against-trump-without-changes\/\" title=\"Senators demand changes to warrantless wiretapping used by FBI against ... before reauthorization.\">countering foreign threats<\/a>,warning that going \u201cdark\u201d would be hazardous.However, Democrats cite doubts about Pulte\u2019s qualifications and point to the recent failure of a bipartisan FISA extension plan. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is taking the position even more firmly, saying he will not back an extension while Pulte remains temporarily in place and framing the removal as only an initial step.  <\/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\">Republicans are conceding President Donald Trump may need to replace <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4595816\/trump-bill-pulte-wont-be-permanent-pick-director-national-intelligence\/\">Bill Pulte<\/a>, his choice to lead the nation\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/intelligence-community\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/intelligence-community\">intelligence community<\/a>, if Congress is to extend the government\u2019s expiring foreign spy powers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GOP-controlled chambers will need Democrats to avert a lapse of Section 702 of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fisa\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fisa\">Foreign\u00a0Intelligence\u00a0Surveillance Act<\/a>, something Democrats are unwilling to do unless Pulte, also the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal housing finance regulator<\/a>, is relieved of his second post as acting director of national intelligence.<\/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\/4599811\/bernie-sanders-2028-president-bid\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bernie Sanders on possible 2028 bid: \u2018I suspect that\u2019s not going to happen\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4599207\/bernie-sanders-calls-out-trump-dictator\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bernie Sanders calls out Trump: \u2018You\u2019re a president, not a dictator\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4596452\/seven-republicans-vote-against-fisa-extension-bipartisan-plan-blows-up\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Seven Republicans vote against FISA extension after bipartisan plan blows up<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Republicans have gently acknowledged the writing on the wall of how to get the vital Democratic votes to overcome a filibuster and counteract defections among their own ranks ahead of the Friday deadline.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think I\u2019ll let the White House speak to whatever the next plan might be there, but we need \u2014 we can\u2019t pass this on the floor without Democrats,\u201d said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). \u201cAll I know is, we have a deadline ahead of us. We need Democrat votes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who recently lost his primary to Trump-backed Ken Paxton, said he was \u201cstill seeking any evidence of qualifications\u201d for Pulte to undertake the national security role. Trump has vowed <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4595816\/trump-bill-pulte-wont-be-permanent-pick-director-national-intelligence\/\">not to keep him in the role permanently<\/a>, a pledge that\u2019s failed to assuage Democrats\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDemocrats are not going to vote to pass 702 until he\u2019s withdrawn, and we need that done,\u201d Cornyn said. \u201cIt\u2019s a problem because we go dark on 702, it\u2019s dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lack of votes was laid bare last week, when a bipartisan three-year extension was rejected by all Democrats, except for Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), in a rebellion against Pulte.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, the administration is urging Congress to authorize an extension by the Friday expiration date and warn of the ramifications if a lapse is not averted. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mychaelschnell\/status\/2064060438430589012?s=46&#038;t=vgOs3L9Jdw1koLNS5Z1G3g\">downplayed the notion<\/a> that reversing Pulte\u2019s appointment, which came after the resignation of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, was a \u201cnecessary requirement of passing FISA\u201d and that those suggesting so are \u201cplaying with a dangerous situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAmerica faces real threats from foreign adversaries, terrorists, cyber actors, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fisa-reauthorization-met-with-deep-bipartisan-skepticism-trust-has-been-lost\/\" title=\"... reauthorization faces bipartisan doubt: &#039;Trust is gone&#039;\">hostile intelligence services<\/a>,\u201d War Secretary Pete Hegseth posted to social media over the weekend. \u201cSection 702 remains one of our nation\u2019s most effective tools for identifying and disrupting those threats before they reach our shores.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte speaks with reporters at the White House, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein, FIle)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) has declined to defend Pulte\u2019s ability to handle the role, and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), another member of leadership, referred to him as \u201cnot qualified\u201d on <em>Fox News Sunday<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the intelligence panel\u2019s top Democrat, has been in contact with Republicans on next steps and referred to the timing of Pulte\u2019s appointment as a \u201clive hand grenade\u201d on Sunday on ABC News\u2019s <em>This Week<\/em>. Senate Democrats were unsure how they planned to proceed as a caucus as of Monday evening, according to Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4599672\/jeffries-fisa-extension-pulte-removal\/\">JEFFRIES WON\u2019T SUPPORT SPY POWERS EXTENSION UNLESS TRUMP FIRES BILL PULTE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But over in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4599672\/jeffries-fisa-extension-pulte-removal\/\">offered an unequivocal \u201cno\u201d<\/a> when asked if he would support extending FISA with Pulte still in his temporary position.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cReversing the Bill Pulte appointment is a starting point, not an ending point,\u201d Jeffries said. \u201cIt\u2019s a step in the right direction, because it reverses something that is clearly out of bounds, unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to occur.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Hailey Bullis contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Republicans may need to replace Bill Pulte to extend Section 702<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2612306,"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\/AP26153490863804.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[67762,3685,19971,6203,14429],"class_list":["post-2612305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bill-pulte","tag-democrats","tag-fisa","tag-gop","tag-surveillance"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26153490863804.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612305","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\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612305"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612309,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612305\/revisions\/2612309"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}