U.S. Section 702 surveillance law faces lapse as Congress blocks extension over Bill Pulte

The House of Representatives failed to pass a temporary extension for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, with the vote collapsing 198‑218 along party lines. The Senate also rejected a three‑week extension, leaving the law set to expire at midnight on Friday.

Democratic leaders have tied any renewal to President Donald Trump withdrawing Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. They argue Pulte lacks intelligence experience and could misuse intelligence data for political purposes. Trump has remained firm, naming Pulte to the post and refusing to nominate a permanent replacement, despite offers of other candidates such as Jay Clayton.

With no bipartisan agreement in sight, U.S. officials warn a lapse could impair the nation’s ability to gather foreign intelligence, a tool credited with thwarting terror plots and countering foreign hacking and drug‑trafficking operations. The dispute underscores a rare standoff over a key national‑security program.