Senate passes 45-day FISA extension

The Senate on Thursday passed a 45-day extension of the nation’s warrantless spy powers, rejecting a longer House-back proposal and teeing up continued debate over how to reform the program.

In turning to a 45-day extension, the Senate rebuffed a House package passed Wednesday that included modest reforms but failed to include the warrant requirement demanded by privacy hawks on both sides of the aisle.

The House will have to pass the Senate bill for the 45-day extension to begin. FISA 702 was set to go dark on April 30.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) had previously called the House bill “dead on arrival” as it included an unrelated provision that would bar the Federal Reserve from establishing a central bank digital currency. 

He described the extension as an opportunity to continue discussions over reforms.

“At this point we’ll be able to proceed and allow for additional time and consideration so that we can come to an agreement that hopefully........

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