Senate Democrats block extension of surveillance powers to protest Trump’s temporary DNI pick

Senate Democrats early Friday morning blocked an effort to extend the enhanced surveillance authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The authorities are due to expire next week. The senators blocked the effort by voting against a motion to begin debating the measure.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence committee, told The Hill that member of his confernece wouldn’t vote to authorize the extension due to President Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte to serve as acting director of National Intelligence when Tulsi Gabbard leaves at the end of the month. 
Warner called Pulte “grossly unqualified.” He said that Section 702 is important, but Pulte has been accused of weaponizing confidential information and shouldn’t be leading national intelligence. 
Six Republicans joined Democrats in the 47-52 failed vote on the motion to proceed, and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote for the motion. 
Trump said on Thursday that Pulte won’t be his permanent choice for the position, the Associated Press reported. 

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