House Republicans brief reporters as push builds to revive expired FISA Section 702

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other House Republican leaders planned to brief reporters Wednesday morning as lawmakers pursue a renewed authorization for warrantless foreign intelligence surveillance under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expired on June 12.

Section 702 allows the government to conduct certain surveillance targeting non-U.S. persons outside the United States, using procedures overseen by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. According to the House Republican focus described in The Hill video preview, the authority lapsed after Democrats raised objections tied to President Donald Trump’s appointment of Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte to serve as acting in a role described by the reporting.

The briefing is scheduled to come as the House considers options to extend or reinstate Section 702 authorities. The Hill preview frames the meeting as part of a push by House Republicans to “revive” the expired power, indicating that leadership wants to move quickly on the policy and legal questions involved in reauthorizing the program.

Republicans have described Section 702 as central to national security and foreign intelligence collection, though the underlying legal debate also includes safeguards, privacy implications, and the scope of the surveillance authorities Congress permits the executive branch to use. The practical effect of the June 12 expiration is that the existing statutory permission for the program’s specific targeting and surveillance procedures is no longer in place unless Congress acts.

The House leaders’ remarks are expected to address the timeline for legislation and the reasons Republicans are seeking immediate action. The Hill preview indicates that the discussion will occur while Republicans argue that intelligence collection and enforcement should not pause while lawmakers negotiate policy terms and oversight mechanisms for renewed authorities.

The reporting also ties the program’s lapse to congressional opposition that, in Democrats’ view, was linked to the Trump administration’s decision-making on appointments. That linkage underscores how the expiration of Section 702 has become part of a broader, high-salience fight in Washington over executive branch actions and Congress’s willingness to cooperate or negotiate on surveillance authorities.

Wednesday’s briefing is likely to set the tone for ensuing committee and floor deliberations, including whether lawmakers pursue a standalone renewal, attach renewal language to other measures, or negotiate changes to the underlying authorities and compliance requirements. Until Congress reenacts the statutory provisions, the lapse remains in effect for the program covered by Section 702.

If Congress advances a renewal proposal, the legislative process would require House passage and then Senate action, followed by the administration’s implementation under the updated legal framework. The timing of any reinstatement would determine how quickly surveillance authorities can resume, subject to whatever approvals and procedures Congress directs.