President Donald Trump asked Congress on Wednesday to pass a “short-term” extension of a key surveillance law set to expire Friday as Democrats continue to balk at his appointment of political ally Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Trump stopped short of taking a step GOP congressional leaders believe could allow for the bipartisan passage of an extension — naming a nominee to succeed Pulte on a permanent basis. But he suggested a nomination would eventually come.
“I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and other top House GOP leaders traveled to the White House on Wednesday morning to discuss a possible nomination with Trump on the sidelines of a bill-signing event, according to three people granted anonymity to describe their unannounced plans.
It’s not clear if Trump’s request will be enough to push through an extension of any length before Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expires Friday. Many Democrats insist Pulte must vacate the top intelligence post before they approve any reauthorization.
Passing an extension in the Senate will require more than a dozen Democrats given the chamber’s filibuster threshold and some GOP opposition to the Section 702 program. Democratic votes are needed in the House, as well.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday that Republicans in his chamber will “do what’s necessary to keep the program, keep the lights on.”
“I think we’ll find out probably in short order what the discussions between the White House and Senate Democrats are able to accomplish, and then we’ll figure it out from there,” he added.
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