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By Andrew Stanton
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Nineteen Republican lawmakers broke ranks from President Donald Trump to vote against a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on Thursday, just one day after he urged its renewal ahead of the World Cup.
The House failed to pass a bill to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA, a powerful but controversial tool that allows U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor foreign communications. It is set to expire at midnight on Friday without congressional action. Proponents of FISA view it as a critical tool for national security, though bipartisan critics have raised privacy concerns about the provision.
House Fails to Pass FISA Reauthorization
Trump on Wednesday urged Congress to pass a short-term extension, warning on Truth Social that it is important for “keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations.”
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But numerous Republican members of the House of Representatives defied Trump and voted against FISA reauthorization on Thursday. FISA has long drawn privacy concerns from members of both parties. The bill, which would have renewed the provision for three weeks, failed by a 218-198 margin. It needed two-thirds of support from the House to pass.
Here is a look at each Republican who voted against the bill:
- Lauren Boebert (Colorado)
- Josh Brecheen (Oklahoma)
- Tim Burchett (Tennessee)
- Eric Burlison (Missouri)
- Kat Cammack (Florida)
- Michael Cloud (Texas)
- Andrew Clyde (Georgia)
- Eli Crane (Arizona)
- Warren Davidson (Ohio)
- Troy Downing (Montana)
- Russ Fulcher (Idaho)
- Paul Gosar (Arizona)
- Harriet Hageman (Wyoming)
- Mike Kennedy (Utah)
- Thomas Massie (Kentucky)
- John Rose (Tennessee)
- Chip Roy (Texas)
- Michael Rulli (Ohio)
- Keith Self (Texas)
Seven Democrats Vote in Favor
A handful of moderate Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
- Henry Cuellar (Texas)
- Don Davis (North Carolina)
- Jared Golden (Maine)
- Vicente Gonzalez (Texas)
- Josh Gottheimer (New Jersey)
- Susie Lee (Nevada)
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington)
What Is FISA Section 702? Its Controversial Provision Explained
FISA Section 702 authorizes U.S. intelligence agencies to collect electronic communications of foreign targets located outside the United States, even if those communications pass through American servers or involve Americans.
Proponents view it as a crucial counterterrorism tool, but critics have said it can be used to sweep up Americans' communications and enable warrantless backdoor searches.
The CIA, NSA, FBI and other spy agencies are all covered by the act.
Congress in April passed a 45-day extension of FISA Section 702, now set to expire, after leaders struggled to gather support for a longer-term extension.
Republican Opposition to FISA Extension
Republicans like Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Lauren Boebert of Colorado have led conservative opposition to FISA. Massie, who recently lost a primary to a Trump-backed challenger, celebrated the bill's defeat in a post to X on Thursday, writing, "Thank goodness. Clean reauthorization of the unconstitutional FISA 702 program failed in the House."
Clyde explained his vote in a post to X.
"This morning I voted NO on a short-term FISA extension. Congress needs to fix FISA, not kick the can down the road. Get a warrant. Uphold the Fourth Amendment. End the surveillance state," he wrote.
Other Republicans have defended FISA. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote to X that it is a "critical tool that allows Treasury to stop terrorists from utilizing the financial system to carry out attacks against the United States and continues to be a critical component of our national and economic security."
"It is the most important tool we have to collect information on our adversaries including Iran and Hamas. Congressional Democrats should stop playing politics with the safety and security of the American people," he wrote
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said during a press conference on Tuesday that the legislation is “critical” to keeping the country secure and that it has stopped “numerous terrorist attacks.”
Trump's Acting DNI Upends FISA Battle
Some Democrats have indicated they would not reauthorize FISA due to the appointment of Bill Pulte, who oversees the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as acting director of national intelligence over concerns about his experience on national security issues and involvement in making mortgage fraud accusations against Fed Governor Lisa Cook. Pulte would serve in the role until a permanent pick is made, but Democrats oppose him holding the office on even a temporary basis.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, has said he would withhold support for FISA reauthorization if Pulte leads the agency. His opposition could mean other Democrats may follow. Given Republicans’ slim House majority and the number of Republicans in opposition to FISA reauthorization, some Democratic support would likely be needed for its renewal.
He discussed his opposition to FISA reauthorization with PBS News this week.
“Bill Pulte is deeply unqualified to serve as acting director of national intelligence, and he's deeply dangerous. He's got no national security experience, no military experience and no law enforcement experience,” he said.
Trump Doubled Down on Pulte
In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump urged Congress to renew FISA.
“I have named William Pulte to be Acting Director of National Intelligence, who will take over on June 19th, and have asked him to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies. At the same time, I am looking for a permanent [Office of the Director of National Intelligence] Nominee with experience in National Security,” he wrote.
He continued, “FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations. If nothing is done, this important Law will expire this week."
Trump's Shifting Stance on FISA
Trump has pushed for an extension to FISA since returning to the White House in January 2025.
“Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have been working to pass a clean extension of FISA Section 702, a Law that was passed many years ago by Congress to collect Intelligence on Foreigners and Noncitizens. When used properly, FISA is an effective tool to keep Americans safe. For these reasons, I have called for a clean 18-month extension,” he wrote on Truth Social in March.
That's a shift from his previous opposition to its extension.
“If the FISA Bill is passed tonight on the House floor, I will quickly VETO it. Our Country has just suffered through the greatest political crime in its history. The massive abuse of FISA was a big part of it!” Trump wrote on X on May 27, 2020.
On April 10, 2024, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! DJT"
What Happens Next
Congress has until the end of the day Thursday to avert a FISA lapse, a tight deadline as members remain sharply divided over the provision. Any bill would have to go through the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to renew the provision.
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