"The program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allows U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept the electronic communications of foreign nationals located outside of the United States. Some of the nearly 350,000 targets whose communications are collected under FISA 702 authority each year are in touch with Americans."
"For almost two decades, a group of lawmakers from both parties has sought reforms to the program, including a requirement for specific court approval before federal law enforcement or intelligence agents are allowed to search for and review an American's information in the FISA database."
"Top intelligence officials said a warrant requirement would inhibit the efficacy of the FISA tool and endanger national security. Stewart Baker, former National Security Agency general counsel, testified before Congress on the subject in January."
The House of Representatives voted 235 to 191 to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for three years. The measure now moves to the Senate, facing challenges. Speaker Mike Johnson struggled to gain support from privacy-minded Republicans, leading to previous failed extensions. Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence to intercept communications of foreign nationals, with some American communications also collected. Lawmakers have sought reforms, including a warrant requirement for accessing American data, but intelligence officials argue this could compromise national security.
Read at www.npr.org
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