FISA Surveillance Extension

In a dramatic middle-of-the-night session, House Republican leaders were forced to abandon their plans for a long-term reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

A bloc of conservative rebels, citing privacy concerns and a desire for stricter warrant requirements, blocked both an 18-month and a five-year renewal plan.

The resulting stopgap measure extends the controversial spy powers only until April 30, setting up another high-stakes showdown at the end of the month.

The White House and intelligence officials have lobbied aggressively for the program, describing it as a critical tool for disrupting terrorist plots and foreign espionage.