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Jun 11, 2026 US House of Representatives failed to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before its expiration Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
Congress allowed a major surveillance law to lapse amid disputes over a controversial intelligence nominee, leaving warrantless surveillance authority in legal limbo.
Supporting reports
- US House blocks extension of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) section 702 — The US House of Representatives failed to pass a short-term extension of FISA section 702 in a 198-218 vote on June 11, 2026. Democrats blocked the renewal in protest of Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte, a major Republican donor with no national security experience, as acting director of national intelligence. The law will lapse on June 12, though a FISA court certification allows collection to continue under existing orders through approximately March 2027.
- House rejected FISA renewal measure — Nineteen Republicans joined all but seven Democrats to reject a measure to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires on June 12, 2026. Under the fast-track procedure used by House Speaker Mike Johnson, the measure required a two-thirds majority but failed 218 to 198, not reaching even a simple majority. The rejection reflected concerns about Pulte's potential oversight of the program.
- Congress fails to reauthorize Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before deadline — Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which permits warrantless collection of communications involving foreigners outside the US and incidentally sweeps up American communications, was set to expire on June 12, 2026. Congress failed to reauthorize it by the deadline. House Speaker Mike Johnson blocked votes on reform amendments, particularly a warrant requirement for surveilling Americans' communications, refusing to allow longer extensions that included such reforms. The program continues operating under existing court certifications through March 2027, but the statutory authorization lapsed.
- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act lapses — The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which grants the executive branch broad surveillance powers, lapsed on June 12 after Congress failed to pass a short-term extension. The lapse occurred amid Senate outrage over Pulte's potential appointment as acting DNI. Some Republicans attempted to pass a two-week extension, but their efforts failed.
Jun 11, 2026 House Democrats called for Vice President Vance to testify on the administration's handling of the Epstein files Corroborated Institutions and Governance
Lawmakers sought testimony on internal executive-branch deliberations over disclosure of sensitive records, pressing for accountability on transparency commitments.
Supporting reports
- House Democrats call for JD Vance testimony on Epstein files handling — House Democrats, led by Representative Robert Garcia, plan to request that committee chair James Comer summon Vice President JD Vance to testify about the Trump administration's handling of Epstein files. The request follows a New York Times report detailing internal crisis within the administration over the files, including Situation Room meetings where Vance warned the controversy was a "huge problem" while chief of staff Susie Wiles dismissed his concerns as conspiracy theories. The White House has not yet responded to whether Vance would comply.
Jun 9, 2026 James Comer refused to subpoena Todd Blanche despite a formal committee request in the Epstein investigation Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
A committee chair blocked a subpoena for a key witness in an ongoing investigation, limiting the reach of congressional oversight.
Supporting reports
- House Oversight Chair James Comer refused to subpoena Todd Blanche — During a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Mike Garcia formally requested that House Oversight Chair James Comer subpoena Todd Blanche, Trump's attorney, to testify regarding the Epstein matter. Comer dismissed the request. Rep. Yassamin Ansari responded by stating that Comer was "happily enabling" what she called "the most egregious cover up in American history."
Jun 7, 2026 Senate Republicans passed $70 billion in supplemental funding for ICE and CBP without addressing calls for enforcement reforms Tier 1 · Primary Economic Structure
Congress massively expanded funding for immigration enforcement agencies without accountability conditions, locking in resources through the rest of the president's term.
Supporting reports
- Senate Republicans pass $70 billion funding for ICE and CBP — Senate Republicans passed a measure providing approximately $70 billion in additional funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without addressing Democratic demands for reforms following violent enforcement actions. This funding is part of a larger budget reconciliation measure that significantly increases the budgets of these agencies, potentially limiting future reform efforts. The funding is set to last through the remainder of Trump's term, complicating oversight and accountability.
- Senate Republicans passed $70 billion supplemental funding for ICE and CBP without Democratic reform conditions — In the early morning hours of Friday, Senate Republicans passed a budget reconciliation measure providing approximately $70 billion in additional funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of Border Patrol. This action occurred without addressing any of the Democratic demands for reforms to ICE and Border Patrol operations that had been made following violent sweeps resulting in the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Republicans used the budget reconciliation process to bypass a potential Democratic filibuster and secure passage with a simple majority.
- Senate passes ICE funding bill allocating $70 billion without restrictions — The Senate passed an immigration enforcement funding bill that allocated $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without spending restrictions. The bill also failed to block a $1.776 billion discretionary fund controlled by the Trump administration. Both North Carolina senators voted in favor of the measure.
Jun 7, 2026 Senate Republicans blocked Democratic amendments to prevent a presidential slush fund, dual agency leadership by one appointee, and unauthorized ballroom spending Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Senate Republicans defeated three separate amendments meant to check executive discretion over funds, personnel, and property, removing built-in restraints on presidential power.
Supporting reports
- Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to prevent Trump slush fund — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have prevented Trump from establishing a $1.776 billion slush fund with the assistance of appointed Department of Justice officials and would have barred payouts from such a fund to individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
- Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to prevent William Pulte dual agency leadership — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have barred William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing and Finance Agency, from simultaneously serving as director of national intelligence. Trump has announced Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence through the midterm elections.
- Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to restrict Trump ballroom use of federal funds — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have barred the use of federal funds or private donations for Trump's ballroom unless Congress explicitly approved such expenditures.
- Democrats propose amendments during budget reconciliation debate — During the budget reconciliation process for the funding of ICE and CBP, Democrats introduced amendments that led to an 18-hour debate, forcing Republicans to vote against several popular measures. These included proposals to prevent the establishment of a slush fund for Trump and to bar the use of federal funds for Trump's ballroom without Congressional approval.
- Republicans block proposals to limit Trump's funding powers — Senate Republicans blocked several Democratic proposals aimed at limiting Trump's ability to establish a slush fund and to prevent the use of federal funds for his ballroom without Congressional approval.