HILL TECH BRIEF: FISA Spying Program Extended as Overhauls Stall

Controversial electronic spying programs authorized under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act are set for an extension via legislation headed to President Joe Biden’s desk.

The House voted 310-118 Thursday to clear the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670) that extends FISA Section 702 through April 19. The Senate passed the legislation 87-13 Wednesday, Roxana Tiron reports.

Section 702 allows federal agencies to collect the electronic communications of people located abroad who aren’t US citizens. Lawmakers and civil liberties groups criticized the surveillance tool for also collecting the data of Americans, which federal law enforcement can ...