US Congress temporarily extends controversial surveillance power under FISA | Privacy News
Congress Temporarily Extends Controversial Surveillance Law
Published on April 17, 2026
The U.S. Congress has approved a temporary extension of a contentious surveillance law that permits federal intelligence agencies to collect data on foreigners, including their communications with U.S. citizens. The House of Representatives passed the extension, which was subsequently approved by the Senate, allowing key provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to remain in effect until April 30.
This short-term measure comes after efforts led by former President Donald Trump to secure a more permanent extension failed. Section 702 of FISA enables the National Security Agency (NSA) and other intelligence agencies to gather data from individuals outside the United States, which may include their interactions with American citizens. Rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications for civil liberties, pointing out that such data collection typically requires a warrant.
Critics have described the practice as a “backdoor search” that undermines established privacy protections. Following Friday’s vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed a willingness to consider reforms to the legislation. “We’ve got to pivot and figure out what can pass, and we’re in the process of figuring out how to do that here,” he commented to reporters.
Bipartisan support for reforming or repealing Section 702 has persisted for years. Originally enacted in 1978, FISA was amended in 2008 to include Section 702, during a time of heightened security concerns in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Notably, prior to the amendment, it was revealed that the administration of former President George W. Bush had already employed the tactics that Section 702 officially legalized.
Proponents, including Trump, argue that without the current provisions, national security could be jeopardized. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump asserted, “I have spoken with many in our Military who say FISA is necessary in order to protect our Troops overseas, as well as our people here at home, from the threat of Foreign Terror Attacks.” Initially, Trump pushed for an 18-month extension without changes. However, this proposal faced significant opposition within his own Republican Party, ultimately leading to its downfall.
Among the critics of the extension was Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a frequent Trump adversary. Prior to the House vote, Massie stated, “I will be voting NO on final passage of the FISA 702 Reauthorization Bill if it does not include a warrant provision and other reforms to protect U.S. citizens’ right to privacy.”
