This week on The Hill: Senate tees up Clayton DNI nomination as FISA talks stall

The Senate Intelligence Committee this week is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton, President Trump’s pick to serve as director of national intelligence, as lawmakers search for a solution to revive the government’s lapsed warrantless surveillance authority.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) expired on June 12 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on even a short-term extension, leaving lawmakers searching for a path forward. 

Democrats have signaled they will oppose moving any extension until Trump withdraws his appointment of Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. 

But Trump has shown no indication he is willing to make that concession.

“He’s only there for a little while,” Trump said. “He’s running it for a short while, while we get a very talented person, Jay Clayton.”

The standoff is further complicating efforts to restore Section 702, a tool intelligence officials say is critical for monitoring foreign threats and gathering national security intelligence.

Even if senators manage to break the logjam and advance a FISA extension this week, the House is out of session, meaning any legislation cleared by the upper chamber would likely have to wait until next week for final consideration. 

What you can expect this week:

Clayton confirmation hearing set for Wednesday: Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee will hear from Clayton, Trump’s pick to be the next director of national intelligence.

Congress at impasse over FISA: Senate Democrats say they won’t back a FISA Section 702 extension unless Trump drops Pulte

Senate GOP turns attention to reconciliation 3.0: Senate Republicans are beginning to lay the groundwork for a third party-line spending bill. 

Key Senate committee to hold nomination hearing for Clayton

The Senate Intelligence Committee will........

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