Conservative revolt in the House blocks effort to reauthorize a key US spy tool

By ERIC TUCKER and FARNOUSH AMIRI
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill that would reauthorize a crucial national security surveillance program has been blocked by a conservative revolt, pushing the prospects of final passage into uncertainty amid a looming deadline. The legislative impasse Wednesday follows an edict earlier from former President Donald Trump to “kill” the measure. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country to gather foreign intelligence, is set to expire April 19 if Congress does not act. Today’s vote comes months after a similar process to reform and reauthorize the surveillance program fell apart before it even reached the House floor.