Top officials and some lawmakers say letting a powerful spying authority expire on Saturday will leave the United States dangerously blind. But surveillance can still continue.
Speaker Mike Johnson said that not extending the law, known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, risked “a serious calamity on our shores.”
Earlier reviews had cast doubt on the idea that a foreign adversary was behind Havana syndrome, a range of symptoms that American spies and diplomats reported.
Actions taken by Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, opened up the possibility that the Trump administration would take a new look at whether Russia or another power could be behind Havana syndrome
The president said he would nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan and the former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the permanent role.
A measure to temporarily continue a key surveillance law failed in the House, and members left for a weeklong recess, making an expiration all but inevitable.
Republicans are struggling to extend a powerful surveillance authority set to lapse this weekend after President Trump alienated lawmakers with his choice of acting spy chief.
Login
