To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes.
- Sponsor
- Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]
- Committees
- Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 17, 2026
Bottom line
This bill extends a critical but controversial foreign intelligence surveillance authority for approximately 18 months, maintaining the status quo for a program deemed essential by intelligence agencies.
What it actually does
This bill proposes to extend the sunset date for Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978, specifically Section 702, from its current expiration to October 20, 2027. This authority permits the U.S. government to conduct surveillance targeting non-U.S. persons located outside the United States for foreign intelligence purposes, even when their communications traverse U.S. networks or equipment. The bill also updates related transition procedures to align with this new repeal date.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that Section 702 is an indispensable tool for national security, enabling intelligence agencies to collect vital information on foreign adversaries, terrorists, and cyber threats that cannot be obtained through other means. They contend that its expiration, even temporarily, would create dangerous intelligence gaps, jeopardizing the safety of the United States and its allies by hindering the ability to preempt attacks and counter espionage.
Opponents contend
Opponents express significant concerns about potential abuses of Section 702, particularly regarding the incidental collection of data from U.S. persons and the procedures for querying that data by the FBI and other agencies. They argue that the program requires substantial reforms to enhance transparency, strengthen oversight, and better protect civil liberties and privacy rights before any extension is granted, asserting that a clean extension ignores these critical issues.
The bill text is extremely short and can be read quickly, but understanding its implications requires familiarity with the complex legal and policy debates surrounding FISA Section 702.
Section 1(a) and 1(b)
Extension of FISA Section 702 Authorities
This section amends the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to change the repeal date for Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 from its current sunset to October 20, 2027. It specifically modifies Section 403(b) of the 2008 Act, which dictates when Title VII is repealed, and updates Section 404(b) concerning transition procedures to ensure that existing orders and directives remain valid until the new repeal date. This action effectively extends the legal basis for foreign intelligence surveillance under Section 702 for an additional period.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that extending Section 702 is crucial for national security, allowing intelligence agencies to continue monitoring foreign threats and preventing attacks. They emphasize that the program targets non-U.S. persons abroad and operates under robust oversight mechanisms, including review by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and congressional intelligence committees.
Critics contend
Critics contend that extending Section 702 without reforms perpetuates risks to civil liberties, particularly concerning the querying of U.S. person data that is incidentally collected. They argue that the program's oversight has been insufficient, citing past compliance issues, and that significant reforms are necessary to prevent abuses and enhance privacy protections before any extension is granted.
Tradeoffs
This provision navigates the tension between maintaining critical national security intelligence capabilities, which rely on Section 702, and addressing persistent concerns about privacy and civil liberties for U.S. persons whose communications may be incidentally collected under the program.