Extension of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Stalls Amid Bipartisan Warrant Demands
Call for a Warrant Requirement to avoid Data Mining of Americans
The FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) recently expired and was extended for 10 days, while they devise reforms. Both Republicans and Democrats are opposed its extension, yet House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing it forward.
Adding a warrant requirement would prevent the government from engaging in massive data mining of Americans’ communications with foreigners, without the government having reason to suspect the conversations involve particularized unlawful foreign activity. Without a warrant requirement, Americans interacting with foreigners can be caught up in data mining of their conversations and prosecuted for “crimes that have nothing to do with national security.” (BBC)
A part of the law known as Section 702 gives the National Security Agency (NSA) authority to spy on foreigners using data drawn from US digital infrastructure. Critics say the section allows the NSA and agencies it works with, such as the FBI, to mine massive amounts of individuals’ information without a warrant.
Democrats “say the law is much too dangerous in the hands of Donald Trump.’
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a Rules Committee member, said in an interview he told the White House he would vote against the clean 18 month extension unless an amendment to prohibit warrantless surveillance of Americans was added.
“What I want is a FISA amendment for warrants,” Norman said. “You get that, we’ll be good.” (Politico)
BBC News:
Section 702, which was added to the law in 2008, allows the government to collect the communications of noncitizens located outside the US without a search warrant, as well as sweep up data of Americans who are in contact with targeted foreigners, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US media partner.
“The US government engages in mass, warrantless surveillance of Americans’ and foreigners’ phone calls, text messages, emails and other electronic communications,” the American Civil Liberties Union has said.
“Information collected under the law without a warrant can be used to prosecute and imprison people, even for crimes that have nothing to do with national security.” (Read more)