Republican senators warn surveillance program may lapse after Trump intel pick backlash

A key surveillance authority (Section 702) could lapse this week, potentially creating a gap in U.S. foreign intelligence collection.
The lapse was triggered after bipartisan opposition to President Trump’s pick, Bill Pulte, for acting director of national intelligence — many senators say he’s unqualified and blocked the reauthorization vote.
The dispute mixes national-security worries with privacy concerns about incidental collection of Americans’ communications and has lawmakers warning of risks during big events like the World Cup and the nation’s 250th anniversary.