The Senate has approved the extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Despite opposition from civil liberties advocates spanning the political spectrum, the bill passed with a vote of 60-34, ultimately advancing it to Biden for final approval.
The legislation seeks to prolong the authorization of FISA's surveillance capabilities for an additional two years, reflecting ongoing debates surrounding national security and individual privacy rights.
Following a series of debates, the Senate ultimately rejected six proposed amendments from both progressive and conservative senators who expressed concerns about the expansive nature of surveillance powers and advocated for stronger protections of Americans' civil liberties and privacy.
Despite these efforts, the Biden administration and supporters FISA emphasized the urgent need to maintain continuity in intelligence-gathering operations, warning of potential disruptions if the statute were to lapse.
Although the Senate missed the midnight deadline for reauthorizing FISA Section 702, they swiftly voted to extend it moments later. Had any amendments been accepted, the bill would have been returned to the House, potentially leading to a prolonged period without the law in effect.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner emphasized the potential consequences of allowing FISA to expire, stating that it would have placed the United States in uncharted territory. He highlighted concerns that companies collaborating with the government to supply intelligence might have ceased cooperation without a reauthorization.
Senator John Cornyn of Texas echoed these sentiments, underscoring the critical role of FISA in intelligence gathering. Cornyn noted that a significant portion of Biden’s daily brief relies on information derived from Section 702, further emphasizing the ‘necessity’ of its reauthorization.
