The US House has refused to renew an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provisions, with 19 Republicans voting against it. The move comes amid a row over President Donald Trump's decision to appoint Bill Pulte as the Director of National Intelligence, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard. The FISA extension was sought by the Trump administration but failed on a 198 to 218 vote. As a result, the legal provisions granting broad authority to monitor phone, email and other communications to or from foreign persons are set to lapse.
The Republicans who voted against the FISA extension include Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, and 16 others. While 190 Republicans voted in favor of the extension, seven Democrats also voted to extend FISA, while 199 voted against it.
Despite the lapse, intelligence agencies can continue the program to monitor communications until March 2027, as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has approved yearlong certifications of warrantless surveillance tactics and procedures.
