Republicans float short-term spy powers extension as they struggle to strike deal

House Republicans are floating a two-month extension of the nation’s warrantless spy powers as the clean, 18-month extension requested by President Trump hits a wall within the right wing of the GOP, according to three sources familiar.

The two-month extension would buy the House time to debate a series of reforms pitched by the party’s conservative wing, including requiring a warrant to review any information collected on Americans as the government surveils the communications of foreigners located abroad.

The proposal mirrors how renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was last handled in 2024, when the GOP also passed a short-term extension before reauthorizing the powers with some 56 reforms.

It may not be the preferred option of leaders, however, because it would create a new deadline without resolving issues the issues that forced them to punt on a spy powers vote on Wednesday. The proposal is still working its way through the Office of Legislative Affairs and has not yet been cleared for the floor.

Freedom Caucus members have raised a number of concerns over the bill. While some want to add a warrant requirement, others have said the bill should also include the SAVE America Act, Trump’s favored legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) has also led many in the group in asking to close the data broker loophole that allows the government to buy cell phone tracking location and other data on Americans from companies.

Trump yesterday called for Republicans to “unify” in passing a clean extension of the bill for 18 months, arguing it was needed to gather intelligence as the U.S. continues war with Iran.

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