House GOP Revolt Forces Short FISA Extension to April 30, Defying Trump

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives approved a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until April 30 in a post-midnight vote early Friday, after conservative Republicans rejected President Donald Trump's call for a longer renewal.[1][2] The measure passed by unanimous consent around 2 a.m., with no objections from members, averting an immediate lapse set for April 20.[1][2] House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had backed Trump's initial push for an 18-month clean extension, saw the effort collapse when a key procedural vote failed due to GOP defections.[1] The drama unfolded after leadership unveiled a late Thursday compromise: a five-year extension until 2031 with revisions, including stricter criminal penalties for FISA violations to placate privacy advocates.[1][2] Conservatives, led by GOP privacy hawks, shot it down, demanding stronger guardrails against warrantless surveillance that can capture Americans' communications with foreign targets.[2] Section 702 empowers U.S. spy agencies to monitor non-citizens abroad without warrants, a tool Johnson defended as 'essential' for national security in a Wednesday Fox News interview.[2] Trump's influence loomed large, as he publicly urged the 18-month renewal earlier this week, but hardline Republicans prioritized reforms amid ongoing debates over FISA abuses.[1][2] The two-week punt buys time for negotiations before the program expires, forcing lawmakers back to the table by month's end.[2] GOP leaders raced against the April 20 deadline all week, but floor opposition twice derailed longer-term plans.[1][2] The bill now moves to the Senate, where leaders anticipate quick passage by unanimous consent as early as Friday.[1][2] Critics argue the program, renewed multiple times since 2008, lacks sufficient protections for Americans' Fourth Amendment rights, while supporters stress its role in counterterrorism and foreign intelligence.[2] With conservatives emboldened, the standoff signals potential for deeper reforms or further delays in finalizing FISA's future.