The House of Representatives will soon vote on a bill to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a powerful warrantless surveillance law that is supposed to be targeted only at foreigners overseas, but has been frequently abused to spy on Americans, including protesters, political donors, lawmakers, and journalists. These abuses are ongoing and will continue unless Congress enacts significant reforms. The bill Speaker Johnson reportedly intends to bring to the floor, however—the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA)—fails to include the necessary reforms and would do nothing to prevent abuses of Section 702.
The Brennan Center, along with more than 30 other civil society organizations, is urging representatives to vote for the amendments offered by members of the House Judiciary Committee, which will add critically needed protections for Americans’ civil liberties, and oppose amendments offered by members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which will weaken privacy safeguards and expand warrantless surveillance.
Coalition Vote Recommendations Section 702 4.5.2024 by The Brennan Center for Justice on Scribd
