The House of Representatives has approved a short-term extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act over the objections of privacy advocates who warn it allows the government to conduct warrantless domestic surveillance on a massive scale. Without congressional action, the program was due to expire in three days. The White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson were seeking an 18-month extension, but those plans were thwarted when a bloc of conservatives revolted against the bill. It also faces opposition from some Democrats, including California’s Ro Khanna, who said in a social media post that Republicans called lawmakers back at midnight for a “secret vote to reauthorize FISA while America sleeps.”

Rep. Ro Khanna: “This would give Donald Trump the power to surveil or collect data on Americans through a back door. There really is not a philosophical debate here. A 'yes' vote is a vote to give Donald Trump more power over American citizens. A 'no' vote is a vote to stand up to Donald Trump. Every Democrat should be a 'no' on the reauthorization of FISA.”