Former national security officials urge Congress to renew Section 702 before expiration

""We cannot afford to let our Intelligence Community lose this tool that helps keep our nation safe, even for a day," said the letter, emphasizing the critical nature of Section 702 for national security."

""Some have sought to use this reauthorization as an occasion to address concerns about government acquisition of Americans' information from commercial data brokers," highlighting the need to separate these issues from the renewal process."

Around four dozen former national security officials have urged Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before its expiration. This section allows intelligence agencies to gather communications from non-U.S. persons abroad without a warrant, although it can inadvertently capture communications of Americans. The officials stress the urgency of renewal, arguing that it is crucial for national security. They oppose attempts to link the reauthorization with issues regarding government acquisition of Americans' data from commercial sources, asserting that these matters are distinct.

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