U.S NewsThe Wall Street JournalFri, Jun 12, 2026, 9:53 PMNegative

A wiretapping law aimed at spying on foreigners Is expiring. What happens next?

Congress has failed to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is crucial for U.S. surveillance operations, leading to its imminent expiration. This lapse raises concerns about the ability to monitor foreign intelligence and prevent potential threats.

A wiretapping law aimed at spying on foreigners Is expiring. What happens next?

WPN Brief

  • What Happened

    Congress has failed to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is crucial for U.S. surveillance operations, leading to its imminent expiration. This lapse raises concerns about the ability to monitor foreign intelligence and prevent potential threats.

  • Why It Matters

    The expiration of this surveillance law could significantly impact national security efforts, as it has been a key tool for intelligence agencies in gathering information on foreign entities. The lack of a bipartisan agreement reflects ongoing political divisions.

  • The Bigger Picture

    This situation highlights a broader debate over surveillance powers in the U.S., with tensions between privacy advocates and national security proponents. The recent appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence adds another layer of complexity, as the administration faces challenges in securing the necessary authority for continued surveillance.

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A key US government surveillance program is set to expire. A look at what that means

A key surveillance program under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), crucial for preventing terror attacks and monitoring foreign spies, is set to expire as Congress failed to reach a bipartisan agreement for its extension. This lapse follows a series of contentious debates and political maneuvering surrounding the program's reauthorization.

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The Wall Street Journal
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Trump is encountering headwinds on getting congressional authority for the FISA warrantless wiretapping program that expires Friday

Congressional authority for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows for warrantless wiretapping, is set to expire soon, presenting challenges for President Trump as he seeks to extend these powers amidst growing opposition.

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NPR
Jun 12

A key U.S. spy tool has lapsed — now what?

The expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has left the U.S. government without a critical tool for warrantless surveillance, which has been essential for over 60% of the president's daily intelligence briefings. Congress's failure to renew this provision has raised concerns about national security and the ability to monitor foreign threats effectively.

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The Guardian
Jun 12

A powerful US surveillance law is set to expire – what happens now?

Congress has failed to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire, amid significant scrutiny over its implications for privacy and surveillance practices in the U.S. This situation has been exacerbated by President Donald Trump's controversial appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, which has drawn bipartisan criticism.

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NBC News
Jun 11

FISA spying power scheduled to expire as House fails to extend it before leaving town

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702, which allows for warrantless surveillance, is set to expire as the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass an extension before recessing. This decision comes amid ongoing tensions between Congress and President Donald Trump regarding the appointment of Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence.

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The Washington Times
Jun 12

White House aide: Trump can't single-handedly restore FISA spy power after Congress lets it expire

The White House has indicated that President Trump cannot unilaterally restore the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) spy powers after Congress allowed them to expire. This lapse occurred following the House's failure to pass a short-term extension, which has raised concerns about the implications for national security and intelligence operations.

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Fox News
Jun 11

Spy law used to stop Taylor Swift attack to lapse as Congress skips town, World Cup nears

Congress has failed to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702, which is set to expire, amid ongoing tensions related to President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence. This lapse raises concerns about the future of warrantless surveillance capabilities in the U.S.

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The Wall Street Journal
Jun 10

President Trump called on Congress to pass a short-term extension of a federal surveillance program that is set to expire at the end of the week

President Trump has called on Congress to pass a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire soon. This request comes amid concerns regarding his appointment of Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence, which has sparked controversy and opposition from Senate Democrats.

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