Senate Democrats Take Tough Stance, Stalling Bipartisan Efforts

WHO:

ABC News - Senate Democrats, President Donald Trump, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Sen. Chris Murphy, Andrew O’Neill, Joel Payne, Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, Tulsi Gabbard, Bill Pulte, Jay Clayton.

WHAT:

ABC News - Senate Democrats decided to let a key surveillance authority lapse, blocking bipartisan bills and forcing government shutdowns.

AP News - Democrats blocked the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in protest of Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as interim director of intelligence agencies.

AP News - Trump nominated a permanent replacement for the intelligence position after lawmakers left Washington for the weekend.

AP News - Republicans are rushing to confirm Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, before June 19.

WHERE:

ABC News - Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

AP News - The expiration of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is set to begin on a Saturday.

AP News - Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as interim director was announced just before a bipartisan deal was about to pass.

AP News - The confirmation process for Jay Clayton is expected to occur before Tulsi Gabbard leaves her position on June 19.

WHY:

ABC News - Senate Democrats are increasingly emboldened in their legislative fights against Trump, seeking leverage in a Republican-led Congress.

AP News - Democrats argue that Pulte’s lack of national security background poses a greater threat than the expiration of FISA.

AP News - Republicans claim that allowing the surveillance law to expire is a grave threat to national security.

HOW:

ABC News - Democrats are using a hardball approach to block legislation, citing the need to fight back against Trump’s governance.

AP News - Lawmakers from both parties urged Trump to withdraw Pulte’s appointment, but he has not changed his stance.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Senate Democrats have decided to let a key surveillance authority lapse, blocking bipartisan bills and prompting concerns about a potential government shutdown. This decision comes in protest of Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as interim director of intelligence agencies, which Democrats argue poses a greater threat than the expiration of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Meanwhile, Republicans are racing to confirm Jay Clayton as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York before Tulsi Gabbard leaves her position on June 19.