Congress has passed a temporary 45-day extension for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), just hours before its scheduled expiration. The House voted 261-111 on Thursday to extend the surveillance authority, following unanimous Senate approval earlier that day.
Key Takeaways
Congress passed a temporary 45-day extension for FISA Section 702 just before its expiration. The House voted 261-111 after the Senate unanimously approved it earlier. President Trump signed the extension into law.
- Congress extends FISA Section 702 for 45 days to avoid lapse in surveillance authority
- House votes 261-111, following unanimous Senate approval
- President Trump signs short-term renewal after Senate rejects three-year extension with additional provisions
- Lawmakers will negotiate long-term reauthorization during mid-May recess
- Privacy advocates and some lawmakers push for reforms to require warrants for searching Americans' data
The extension buys lawmakers more time to negotiate a long-term reauthorization amid ongoing debates over privacy protections and national security concerns. The program allows U.S. intelligence agencies to spy on foreigners without a warrant but can also sweep up communications involving American citizens.
House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that the lower chamber would wait for the Senate's proposal, acknowledging challenges in maintaining attendance as lawmakers prepare to leave town. 'We have done our job. The Senate needs to do theirs,' Johnson said, warning of potential difficulties if the issue isn't resolved promptly.
The Trump administration has been a strong advocate for reauthorizing Section 702, arguing that it is crucial for national security. However, privacy advocates and some lawmakers have pushed for reforms, including requirements for warrants to search Americans' data collected under the program. The House had previously passed a three-year extension with additional provisions, but the Senate deemed those measures unacceptable.
The short-term extension marks the second such measure in less than a month, as Congress continues to grapple with finding a long-term solution that balances security needs with civil liberties concerns. Both chambers will now focus on broader negotiations when they return from their scheduled recess in mid-May.
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