FISA Renewal Bills Pulled Amid Controversy, Short-Term Extension Expected

Critics argue proposed legislation could expand federal digital surveillance powers, while others push for stricter warrant requirements.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has pulled two bills that would reauthorize and reform Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) after strong backlash, pushing the vote into next year.
The House is expected to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a short-term extension of FISA until April 19, 2024.
Section 702 of FISA allows the federal government to surveil foreigners without a warrant for national security purposes, but has been criticized for its potential for abuse and incidental collection of data on US citizens.
The FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023, one of the bills under consideration, has been criticized for potentially expanding federal digital surveillance powers.
The Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act, another bill under consideration, aims to require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing Americans' communications in the program's database.