Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced Monday that the Senate will move forward with renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's warrantless surveillance powers as a standalone measure, directly rebuffing President Trump's demand to attach the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
Speaking to reporters, Thune said the chamber would attempt to pass an extension of Section 702—which authorizes eavesdropping on foreign targets without a warrant—once the votes are secured. The provision lapsed over the weekend, and Thune has repeatedly warned that letting it expire endangers national security.
“We will try and move 702 as soon as we feel like we have the votes to do it,” Thune said.
The GOP leader told Punchbowl News earlier Monday that linking the SAVE America Act to the FISA bill was “unrealistic,” effectively undercutting Trump’s push to combine the two measures. The SAVE America Act would require documented proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification at the polls, a top priority for Trump and conservative allies who argue it is necessary to combat election fraud.
Thune also expressed optimism that confirming Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, as director of national intelligence could help secure Democratic support for the FISA reauthorization. “That’s probably all contingent on Clayton getting confirmed and in position,” he said.
Democrats in both chambers blocked the intelligence bill last week, citing objections to Trump’s appointment of Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting DNI. The president had previously backed a clean FISA extension, but over the weekend he shifted, posting on Truth Social: “I’m against FISA if it doesn’t come with The Save America Act (Full version!) firmly attached to it.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) has denounced the voter ID bill as “Jim Crow 2.0,” and Democrats remain united in opposition. Thune said he discussed FISA with Trump but did not recall raising the SAVE America Act during those conversations. When asked if he feared a veto if the bill lands without the voter ID measure, Thune replied, “I certainly would hope if we can get FISA off the floor, he would sign it.”
Thune emphasized the urgency of renewing the surveillance authority, downplaying the risk of a presidential veto. “I just think it’s that important. We’re working really hard to deal with the main Democrat objections to this, which again I think are unfounded, but nevertheless, if we can get Jay Clayton confirmed soon, then I hope we get FISA done,” he said. “I would hope once we do, he’ll sign it.”
The standoff comes amid broader tensions between the White House and Capitol Hill over national security priorities. For more on Trump's recent diplomatic moves, see the preliminary US-Iran agreement signed by Trump, Vance, and the Iranian speaker. Additionally, the president's rural support has slipped to 50%, as war and policy changes bite into his base.
