Overview
- Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expired after the House failed to extend it in a 198–218 vote, creating an immediate gap in warrantless foreign-targeted collection.
- President Trump posted that he will not back a renewal unless Congress attaches the SAVE America Act, a sweeping voting bill that would add proof‑of‑citizenship and photo‑ID rules to registration and voting.
- Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence without Senate confirmation, and he publicly defended Pulte against Democratic opposition by questioning their motives.
- The president also nominated Jay Clayton as permanent DNI and has a confirmation hearing scheduled for Wednesday, but Clayton's path depends on resolving the Pulte controversy and the FISA standoff.
- Lawmakers from both parties, including some Senate Republicans, warn Pulte could politicize intelligence use of FISA powers, and experts say the lapse risks disrupting routine foreign intelligence collection and oversight until Congress acts.