Updated April 17, 2026 / 3:05 AM EDT / CBS/AP
Washington — Early Friday, the House approved a short-term renewal of a contentious surveillance authority used by U.S. intelligence agencies, extending it only until April 30. The measure passed by unanimous consent and now moves to the Senate.
Lawmakers met after a GOP rebellion blocked a broader plan pushed by President Trump to renew the program for a longer period. A late Thursday proposal would have extended the authority for five years with changes, diverging from the clean 18-month renewal Mr. Trump had demanded and that Speaker Mike Johnson had previously backed. That effort collapsed when a key procedural vote failed after several Republicans defected. “We were very close tonight,” Johnson said.
The dispute focused on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, NSA, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze large volumes of overseas communications without a warrant and can incidentally capture conversations involving Americans who communicate with foreign targets. Supporters say the authority is vital for disrupting terrorist plots, countering cyberattacks and foreign espionage, and have emphasized its importance as the U.S. confronts threats tied to the war with Iran. Opponents from both parties argue it allows federal agencies to review Americans’ communications without obtaining a warrant.
The late-night floor debate featured sharp criticism from Democrats. Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts asked, “Does anybody actually know what the hell is in this thing? … Who the hell is running this place?” Reporters and lawmakers noted many members were seen flipping through pages of the bill as voting began.
Throughout the week, Mr. Trump and his allies lobbied for a clean renewal. Republican lawmakers visited the White House, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe spoke with GOP members. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said there were “negotiations late into the night with the White House and some of our members.” On Truth Social, Mr. Trump urged Republicans to “UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor. We need to stick together.”