Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
Bipartisan Senate Blocks 3-Year FISA 702 Renewal as Trump Stands by Bill Pulte
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10

Bipartisan Senate Blocks 3-Year FISA 702 Renewal as Trump Stands by Bill Pulte

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10

Summary

  • Friday's midnight deadline now threatens Section 702 with expiration after a bipartisan Senate coalition blocked efforts to move a three-year renewal forward.
  • Bill Pulte's selection as acting director of national intelligence derailed near-term talks, with Democrats and some Republicans objecting to Trump's ally over his lack of national security experience.
  • Section 702 underpins warrantless foreign surveillance that officials say helps disrupt terror plots, counter hackers, track drug trafficking and monitor rivals including China and Russia.
  • Congressional leaders were already short of votes because of longstanding privacy concerns, and the fight now leaves one of the government's most powerful intelligence tools at risk of lapsing.

Insights

What are the immediate security risks if America's top foreign surveillance tool expires this Friday?
Reforms cut improper surveillance queries by 87%. Why isn't this enough to save the controversial program?