Key facts
- Senate Democrats are blocking the renewal of a foreign surveillance law.
- Concerns over Bill Pulte's fitness for the acting U.S. spy chief role are central to the block.
- The law permits U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor foreigners' communications outside the U.S. without individual warrants.
A dispute over President Donald Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting U.S. spy chief has led to a halt in the Senate's debate on renewing a foreign surveillance law. Concerns about Pulte's suitability for the role have prompted Senate Democrats to block the debate. The law in question grants U.S. intelligence agencies the authority to monitor the communications of individuals outside the United States without requiring individual judicial warrants.