The House failed to pass a short-term extension of a key U.S. surveillance program on Thursday, putting Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on track to expire Friday. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) argued Thursday that a lapse could jeopardize U.S. security ahead of major events, including the 2026 World Cup and America250 celebrations. The vote was 198-218, with most Democrats opposing the extension over President Trump’s decision to install Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, who has no intelligence experience. Dozens of conservatives also voted no because they wanted additional reforms — primarily over warrantless surveillance on Americans' communications with foreign nationals. The counter-terrorism law, first adopted in 2008, allows the government to conduct warrantless surveillance of non-American citizens outside the U.S. who are using U.S. communication systems. Officials say it contributes to more than half of the president’s daily intelligence briefing and has helped disrupt terror plots. Democrats and some Republicans have opposed the section’s long-term renewal because it allows data to be collected about Americans who are talking to someone targeted by the section and lives abroad. @wired reports that the FBI has used Section 702 data to run warrantless queries on a U.S. senator, thousands of campaign donors, Black Lives Matter protesters, and individuals tied to both sides of the January 6 Capitol attack, according to declassified rulings and government reports. Democrats have said they will not support an extension unless Trump reverses Pulte’s appointment. But, Trump said Wednesday that he wants Pulte "to execute the immediate and needed downsizing" of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. - @mosheh