Congress Lets Part of Spy Law Lapse. What's Next for Counterterrorism Efforts?
The lapse leaves the warrantless surveillance program without congressional renewal, though a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court certification could keep it operating until March 2027.
- On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702 surveillance program lapsed after Congress adjourned without passing an extension, marking the first expiration of the counterterrorism measure since 2008.
- Democrats blocked the extension, citing concerns over President Donald Trump's appointment of housing official Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, arguing he lacks necessary intelligence experience.
- Sen. Mark Warner, vice chair of the Intelligence Committee, warned that companies might refuse to provide information without legal indemnification, even though the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court maintains a certification valid until March 2027.
- Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, stated existing certifications provide a "safety net," allowing surveillance to continue without immediate consequences until March 2027.
- President Trump nominated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton as permanent director on Thursday, but the move failed to break the legislative impasse; the Senate is scheduled to return Monday, June 15, 2026.
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Key U.S. Surveillance Authority Expires After Congress Fails to Reach Agreement on Extension
A major U.S. intelligence-gathering authority is set to expire after Congress adjourned without approving legislation to extend it, creating uncertainty about the future of one of the government’s most powerful surveillance tools and raising questions about how intelligence agencies will continue collecting information tied to national security threats.
A key U.S. spying program expires Friday night. What does that mean?
The intelligence-gathering program that allows U.S. government surveillance of foreigners abroad by collecting domestic communication information is set to expire at the end of the day Friday after the House and Senate left town without passing an extension
A US spying law expires amid distrust of Trump moves on national security • Maine Morning Star
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress missed a deadline for reauthorization of a key surveillance authority, raising questions about whether the U.S. government can continue to monitor certain communications. Lawmakers have regularly approved short- and long-term extensions for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Survei…
Congress let a key spying law expire amid distrust of Trump moves on national security
(Illustration via Getty Images)WASHINGTON — For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress missed a deadline for reauthorization of a key surveillance authority, raising questions about whether the U.S. government can continue to monitor certain communications. Lawmakers have regularly approved short- and long-term extensions for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act since 2008, clearing the way for intelligence agencies t…
Daily Montanan
A US spying law expires amid distrust of Trump moves on national security
The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)WASHINGTON — For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress missed a deadline for reauthorization of a key surveillance authority, raising questions about whether the U.S. government can continue to monitor certain communications. Lawmakers have regularly approved short- and long-term extensions for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Survei…
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