In a late-night session, the House approved a short-term extension of a key surveillance authority, voting by unanimous consent at 2:09 a.m. to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through April 30.
The temporary measure follows the collapse of earlier procedural votes, as internal Republican disagreements stalled efforts to advance a longer-term renewal of the controversial program.
The extension gives GOP leaders additional time to negotiate a path forward. Speaker Mike Johnson has been working to secure support for an 18-month “clean” reauthorization of the program, despite resistance from some conservative members.
Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign nationals located abroad without a warrant, including interactions involving Americans. U.S. officials have described the program as a critical tool for counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity efforts.
Debate and a scheduled procedural vote on the measure were postponed earlier Wednesday as lawmakers struggled to reach consensus. The Senate must now take up the short-term extension.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to unite behind the legislation, emphasizing its importance to national security. He hosted a group of GOP lawmakers at the White House this week in an effort to rally support ahead of the program’s expiration.
“Our military and intelligence professionals depend on this authority,” Trump said in a social media post, calling for party unity to advance the measure.
