Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) does not appear destined for a quick reauthorization, even after Jay Clayton was confirmed as director of national intelligence (DNI).
Senate Republicans scheduled Clayton’s confirmation unusually fast following his nomination because they faced pressure to reauthorize Section 702, a warrantless government spying tool, after it lapsed on June 12. Senate Democrats initially voted against its reauthorization in response to President Donald Trump tapping Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte to be acting DNI, though they did not appear willing to support reauthorizing it anytime soon even after the upper chamber confirmed Clayton.