Senate Democrats block bipartisan bills in hardball effort to counter Trump
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Senate Democrats have allowed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to lapse as part of a broader strategy to push back against President Trump’s policies and appointments, including blocking bipartisan bills and slowing nominations.
- Democrats are protesting Trump’s interim appointment of Bill Pulte, a federal housing regulator with little national security experience, to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies, arguing this appointment threatens national security more than letting FISA expire.
- Republicans criticize Democrats for risking national security by blocking FISA renewal, highlighting previous government shutdowns and delays in funding enforcement agencies, and accuse Democrats of abdicating responsibility for national security.
- The Democratic hardline stance has helped unify the party and gain respect among its base, though it has yet to produce significant policy victories or bipartisan support, and some activists remain wary of recent Democratic moves.
- Senate Republicans are caught between managing their relationship with Trump and responding to Democratic opposition, with some Republicans joining Democrats in criticizing Trump’s appointments and the resulting legislative standoff.