Senator Shelley Moore Capito on Sunday criticized her colleagues for the failure of both chambers of Congress to pass legislation extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allowing critical intelligence-gathering powers to lapse.
Capito stated that the lapse ties the hands of the intelligence community, preventing them from collecting data that has already disrupted terrorist attacks. She urged lawmakers to cease political maneuvering and confirm the FISA extension for the next three years, noting that reforms demanded by some are included in the proposed legislation.
Both the House and Senate failed to pass bills to extend Section 702 through July 2, leading to its expiration at midnight. Reports indicate that Democrats refused to reauthorize the program due to objections over Bill Pulte being tapped to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Pulte's past actions leading the Federal Housing Finance Agency, including making criminal referrals for alleged mortgage fraud against four individuals perceived as opponents of the president, were cited.
President Trump has reportedly considered signing an executive order to support the program, which permits the government to compel communications companies to provide records of foreign targets without a warrant.
