Trump Says Spy Powers Extension Must Include His Voter ID Provision

President Donald Trump said he will not support the extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act unless it includes his voter ID bill, the SAVE America Act.

“A few Dumocrats are against FISA, with or without Bill Pulte going to DNI, as Acting,” he wrote on Truth Social Sunday afternoon. “What kind of a deal is that. Besides, I’m against FISA if it doesn’t come with The Save America Act (Full version!) firmly attached to it.”

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act grants the federal government authority to surveil foreigners without a warrant, but conservatives argue the program can be used to spy on Americans and collect data. Section 702 of the act expired at midnight on Friday after Congress failed to reach an agreement on warrantless searches.

Democrats said they would hold up an extension of the program until Trump picked a new nominee to serve as director of national intelligence. Trump had tapped federal housing director Bill Pulte to serve as acting intelligence director after Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the position to care for her husband, but members from both parties criticized the pick of Pulte. Last week, Trump announced Jay Clayton as his official nominee for the role. 

Early Monday morning, Trump reiterated his opposition to extending FISA without the SAVE America Act included.

“The Dumocrats want FISA because that’s what they used to go after me for three years during my First Term!” he said. I’m against FISA if it doesn’t come with The Save America Act (Full version!) firmly attached to it.”

The SAVE America Act would require government identification and proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections and would also prohibit mail-in ballots, men in women’s sports, and transgender procedures for children.

Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., will introduce a bill later this week to fulfill the president’s wishes, Politico first reported.

Her bill, the “SAVE America Through REAL ID Act,” will establish a grant program encouraging states to require federally mandated REAL IDs to vote.