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House approves short-term extension of surveillance law in blow to Republicans’ long-term plan – US politics live
TL;DR
The House of Representatives has voted to extend Section 702 of the FISA law until April 30, overriding attempts for longer renewals. This law allows warrantless surveillance of communications involving foreigners outside the U.S.
Key points
- House voted to extend Section 702 of FISA until April 30
- The extension allows warrantless surveillance of foreign communications
- 208 Democrats and 20 Republicans supported the extension
- Attempts for longer renewals were defeated
- Section 702 was first enacted in 2008
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of US politics.
The House of Representatives voted early on Friday to briefly extend an expiring and controversial law that grants the US government sweeping powers for warrantless surveillance.
The decision to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa) until April 30 came via unanimous consent shortly after a 208 Democrats and 20 Republicans came together to defeat attempts to pass five-year and 18-month renewals.
First enacted in 2008, Fisa’s Section 702 allows national security agencies to collect and review texts and emails sent to, and from, foreigners living outside the country, without a warrant. This would also cover any communications between Americans who are talking to non-American targets living board.
The law was originally set to expire on Monday, as the law includes a provision that notes the law will expire without periodically being reauthorized.
Donald Trump had been pushing for an 18-month extension, posting on Truth Social that the law was an “effective tool to keep Americans safe” and “extremely important to our military”, especially during the war in Iran – a dramatic shift from his call two years ago to “KILL FISA” after accusing the FBI of misusing the law to spy on his 2016 campaign.
While the CIA credits Section 702 with helping to rescue hostages overseas and prevent a terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, critics warn that it allows the US government to spy on Americans without a warrant. Prior to the vote, California congressman Ro Khanna posted on X that it “gives Donald Trump the power to surveil or collect data on Americans through a back door”.
“A yes vote gives Trump more power to surveil Americans,” Khanna said. “Every Democrat must vote no. Everyone who loves the constitution must vote no.”
In other developments:
- Donald Trump to be followed by a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese leaders next week.
Q&A
What is Section 702 of the FISA law?
Section 702 of the FISA law allows U.S. national security agencies to collect and review communications involving foreigners outside the country without a warrant.
Why did the House vote to extend the surveillance law?
The House voted to extend the surveillance law to prevent its expiration and to maintain national security capabilities, despite opposition to longer renewals.
What were the results of the House vote on the surveillance law?
The House approved the extension with 208 Democrats and 20 Republicans voting in favor, defeating attempts for five-year and 18-month renewals.
When was Section 702 of the FISA law originally enacted?
Section 702 of the FISA law was originally enacted in 2008.
