US Senate blocks FISA Section 702 extension amid Bill Pulte controversy

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which lets U.S. agencies collect foreign communications without a warrant, is set to expire on June 12. A Senate procedural vote on Friday failed 47‑52, preventing the Senate from moving forward on a three‑year renewal. The defeat was driven by a split in both parties, with Democrats and a handful of Republicans objecting to the appointment of Bill Pulte – the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a Trump ally – as acting director of national intelligence. Critics say Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience and alleged partisan actions jeopardize the bipartisan deal that had been close to completion. Republican senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley warned of an intelligence‑gathering gap if the law lapses, while Democratic leaders such as Mark Warner and Ron Wyden indicated they would not support the extension until Pulte is removed. The Senate’s majority leader said the chamber will attempt another vote next week, but the dispute over the acting DNI appointment remains a key obstacle to renewing the key surveillance tool.