House extends FISA surveillance powers

House Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to punt the long-term extension after failing to secure enough support from his own party.

The FISA program, which allows spy agencies to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreigners, has become a major flashpoint for civil liberties advocates.

President Trump and his allies had lobbied for a clean 18-month renewal, but libertarian-leaning members insisted on stricter privacy guardrails.

The Senate must now approve the ten-day extension before the program's current authorization expires at the end of the month.