he House failed to approve a short-term extension of FISA Section 702 to July 2nd before leaving town until June 23rd. The vote was 198-218, which is not even a simple majority. The bill needed the support of two thirds of the chamber to pass because it was brought up under a fast-track process known as “suspension of the rules” that means even if all Republicans voted in favor, they would still need dozens of Democrats to join them. The top Democratic leaders and key committee ranking members said in a statement that FISA Section 702 is “a critical foreign intelligence authority, but we cannot in good conscience vote for reauthorization without significant reforms to protect both national security and the constitutional privacy rights of Americans.” The statement from Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, (D-New York), and his leadership team also criticized President Donald J. Trump’s selection of embattled top housing official Bill Pulte, a close ally, as acting director of national intelligence.
Before adjourning for the week, the Senate will take up Confirmation of Executive Calendar #765 Brock Dahl, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State and a Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #742, Justin D. Smith, of Missouri, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit.
