The House approved the renewal of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act, with a 273-147 vote allowing intelligence agencies to monitor foreign citizens believed to be a threat to national security. Former President Donald Trump had urged Congress to block the bill, falsely claiming it was used to spy on his campaign. Some Republicans and Democrats opposed the bill, arguing for the need to obtain warrants for queries that could uncover communications of U.S. citizens. The bill was initially for five years but revised to two years to address conservative concerns.
Earlier in the week, Trump called for the legislation to be killed, mistakenly suggesting it was used to improperly spy on his campaign. The bill renews Section 702 of FISA, allowing intelligence agencies to monitor foreign nationals, and includes measures to prevent FISA abuse. The 19 Republicans who initially opposed the bill changed their votes under the two-year timeline, potentially allowing for revision if Trump secures a second term. The legislation includes new reporting requirements and requires approval from an FBI supervisor or staff attorney to query a U.S. citizen in the database.
The vote to renew the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act came after Trump’s efforts to block the bill and claims of spying on his campaign, which were found to be inaccurate. The legislation allows intelligence agencies to monitor foreign nationals suspected of posing a threat to national security. Some lawmakers from both parties argued for the need to obtain warrants for queries that may involve U.S. citizens. The bill was amended to a two-year renewal to address concerns from conservatives and includes measures aimed at preventing FISA abuse.
The House’s approval of the renewal of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act followed previous failed attempts to advance the bill. Former President Donald Trump’s opposition to the legislation, based on incorrect claims of spying on his campaign, prompted additional scrutiny and debate. Some Republicans and Democrats raised concerns about the bill, pushing for stricter requirements when querying communications involving U.S. citizens. The revised two-year renewal of the legislation includes new measures to prevent FISA abuse and requires approval from FBI supervisors for queries involving U.S. citizens in the database.
The vote to renew the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act highlighted divisions within Congress regarding the balance between national security measures and civil liberties protections. Former President Trump’s efforts to block the bill, fueled by inaccurate claims of surveillance on his campaign, added a layer of complexity to the debate. With the legislation passing in the House, questions remain about its potential impact on intelligence operations and safeguards against misuse of surveillance powers. The two-year renewal of the bill includes provisions aimed at preventing abuse and requires additional oversight for queries involving U.S. citizens.
