Johnson’s Section 702 Reauthorization Proposal Fails to Satisfy Critics
Summary
After two failed votes on an 18-month extension, Congress approved a 10-day Section 702 reauthorization. Critics say Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposed three-year extension does not require warrants for searches of U.S. persons’ communications.
Key points
- Two House votes failed to extend Section 702 for 18 months, and Congress instead approved a 10-day reauthorization.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed a three-year extension that includes language barring the use of Section 702 to target Americans.
- Critics say the proposal does not require a warrant or court process for searches of U.S. persons’ communications.
- The article describes how foreign-target surveillance can include communications with U.S. persons, which officials may search using personal information.
- Rep. Warren Davidson supported the proposal, while the article says it had not won over enough Freedom Caucus members and few Democrats were on board.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Legislative developments concerning the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
- Impact
- After two failed votes to extend Section 702 for 18 months, Congress passed a 10-day reauthorization. House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed a three-year extension. Critics say the proposal does not require warrants or court process for searches of U.S. persons’ communications, raising concerns about privacy and government surveillance.
People
Gene SchaerrGeneral counsel of the Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability; characterized the proposal as “smoke and mirrors.”Jake LaperruqueDeputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technology’s security and surveillance project; criticized Johnson’s proposal as failing to engage in reform.Kia HamadanchySenior policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union’s political advocacy division; said the proposal does not require warrants or court process for U.S. person searches.Mike JohnsonIntroduced a proposal to extend Section 702 for three years, including language barring the use of the law to target Americans.Ted LieuCriticized the proposal and expressed distrust of FBI Director Kash Patel’s use of current Section 702 powers.Warren DavidsonSupported Johnson’s proposal and had previously introduced an amendment concerning government purchases of Americans’ information from third-party data brokers and co-sponsored legislation requiring warrants for U.S. person searches under Section 702.