The U.S. House on Thursday rejected a proposal to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through early July, pushing the critical foreign surveillance authority toward a Friday expiration.
The vote was stalled as Democrats continued to withhold support, citing President Donald Trump’s selection of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
The lapse in authority could disrupt intelligence-gathering capabilities tied to foreign communications, though lawmakers have historically passed short-term extensions at the last minute.
The political standoff underscores the administration’s pivot toward domestic policy and midterm preparations, even as the ongoing conflict with Iran dominates the broader geopolitical backdrop.
Separately, the White House has signaled it will continue collecting tariffs introduced during the first Trump term, defying a recent court ruling that questioned their legality.
The administration is doubling down on revenue collection as it navigates these domestic legislative hurdles.