A U.S. surveillance program is nearing expiration after a vote on a temporary extension failed. On June 8, 2026, lawmakers voted 198-218 against extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for three weeks, which required a two-thirds majority for passage. The failed measure aimed to provide Congress with more time to negotiate a long-term renewal but faced significant opposition from House Democrats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated he would not support the extension until President Trump reversed his decision to appoint Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. The bill was introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson through a fast-track procedure that necessitated a higher vote threshold.
Seven Democrats, including Reps. Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez, and Henry Cuellar, supported the extension, while 19 Republicans opposed it, citing concerns over privacy protections. The failed vote represents a setback for Trump, who had urged lawmakers to reauthorize the program without modifications ahead of the June 12 deadline. Critics, including some Democrats, have questioned Pulte's qualifications for the intelligence role.
The standoff has heightened tensions in the House, with the law set to expire on June 11 at 12:01 a.m. Some Republicans warned that allowing the program to lapse would leave the U.S. vulnerable, particularly during the World Cup and ongoing conflicts abroad. The Section 702 program permits the collection of intelligence on foreign individuals using U.S. communication systems, which has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. The program has been credited with preventing a terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert in 2024 and has been involved in various intelligence operations.
Congress has previously passed two short-term extensions of the law this year but has not reached an agreement on a multi-year renewal. Some Democrats argue that warnings from Republicans are exaggerated and point to a recent intelligence court ruling that allows Section 702 collection to continue under a court order for another year, even without congressional approval. However, GOP lawmakers caution that the expiration of surveillance powers could lead to significant risks, including legal challenges and outdated data.