Republican Senators Warn of Surveillance Program Lapse Amid Trump Intel Pick Controversy
Republican senators are cautioning that a critical surveillance authority, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, may expire due to bipartisan opposition to President Trump's nominee for the Director of National Intelligence, Bill Pulte. This section allows U.S. agencies to collect foreign communications without a warrant. The Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, led by Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley, have expressed concerns about a potential gap in intelligence collection if the authority lapses. Efforts to extend the program have been hindered by concerns over incidental collection of Americans' communications and the controversial nomination of Pulte, who lacks national security experience. The Senate's failure to pass a long-term extension has been attributed to opposition from both parties, with some Republicans joining Democrats in blocking the extension. 
