Trump Extends Surveillance Act, Debate Continues

0:00It's April 18th. Welcome to U.S. News Today, powered by AI and covering the nation. President Trump just signed a 10-day extension for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, buying time for the warrantless. Surveillance program until April 30th. House Republicans couldn't rally behind a five-year rewrite or the White House's push for an 18-month clean renewal, so this short patch keeps. The NSA, FBI, and CIA in business collecting foreign targets communications without individual warrants. The program often picks up Americans chatting with those foreigners and privacy folks from both sides want warrants before searching that U.S. data. It was due to expire April 20th under last year's reforms, but intense lobbying from Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson fell short after midnight. Votes tanked the bigger bills. Lawmakers were fired up. Democrats mocked the chaos, while freedom caucus holdouts like Andy Ogles said they warned this would happen. Johnson admitted they were close, but blocked by over a dozen Republicans, leading to the quick house approval around 2 a.m., Friday, and Senate Voice.

1:08Votes soon after. The big fight still over FBI warrant rules for American info in the database, especially after declassified core docs showed misuse on things like. Racial justice protests in January 6 cases, a warrant pushed tied in the House last year and leadership dodged another vote this week. Now Senate Majority Leader John Thunes, eyeing a three-year extension to take the lead before April 30th, or the program could face lawsuits if. It lapses, telecoms, my bail on forced help, forcing everyone back to the table fast.