Congress approves extension of warrantless surveillance powers

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/-fisa-congress-appr…

Congress has approved a short-term extension of the nation’s warrantless surveillance powers, punting to the new year a decision over how to reform the law.

Included in the defense policy bill headed to the president’s desk after approval by the House on Thursday is a measure that extends Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until mid-April.

FISA allows the government to spy on foreigners located abroad, but Americans who communicate with those being surveilled have their information swept up in the searches, prompting agreement that reauthorization of the powers must come with reforms that limit documented abuse of the tool by the FBI.

While the National Defense Authorization Act’s inclusion of FISA avoids an end-of-the-year expiration of the powers, it also extends an ongoing battle over whether the government should get a warrant before reviewing information it’s already collected pertaining to Americans.

And several conservative lawmakers voiced frustration over its inclusion in a must-pass bill.