Congress is once again engaged in a great debate over how to reform federal surveillance programs, with privacy hawks demanding a list of restraints on the government’s spy powers, Democrats showing little willingness to work with the administration, and committee leaders trying to get a compromise across the finish line.

On June 12, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which grants the federal government the authority to surveil foreigners without a warrant, will expire.

“We cannot have a delay in FISA reauthorization,” Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told reporters Wednesday.

“I think the Democrats need to stop putzing around on this,” Lawler added. “Let’s get this done and move on.”

For years, critics have demanded changes to the surveillance program, arguing it has led to the warrantless surveillance of Americans whose data is intermingled with that of foreign actors.

In April, Congress voted twice for short-term extensions of the power after failing to agree on a compromise framework for reforms.

House Republican leadership and Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, argued the program, which they consider vital for national security, has already been substantially reformed and that President Donald Trump’s administration has cracked down on its abuse.

Meanwhile, Democrats, following the lead of Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, rejected a clean extension, denying Republican leadership the ability to easily overcome defections in their own party.

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