The measure has long been criticized for allowing U.S. intelligence agencies to collect data on citizens without a warrant.
Published April 17, 2026
Congress has temporarily extended a controversial surveillance law that allows federal intelligence agencies to collect data on foreign nationals, including their contacts with U.S. citizens.
This measure allows the provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to continue until April 30th. The short-term extension passed the House of Representatives on Friday and was approved by the Senate.
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The patch came after President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a more permanent extension failed.
Section 702 of FISA allows the National Security Agency (NSA) and other intelligence agencies to collect data from foreign nationals abroad.
This could include interactions with U.S. citizens, a prospect that worries rights advocates.
Collection of such data may include communications via email and telecommunications platforms and typically requires a warrant approved by a court.
Critics have described the process as a “backdoor search” that circumvents existing privacy laws.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, speaking after Friday’s vote, said there is still some room for positivity in the law.
“We have to pivot and see what we can get through. We are here trying to figure out how to do that,” he told reporters.
Reform advocates across party lines have long called for Section 702 to be repealed or amended.
FISA was first passed in 1978, but Section 702 was added as an amendment in 2008.
The addition comes amid the United States’ “global war on terrorism.” However, during its approval, it was revealed that former US President George W. Bush’s administration had already used tactics legalized under Section 702.
Supporters, including Mr. Trump, argue that changing the provision would lead to a loss of national security.
“I have spoken with many in the military who say FISA is necessary to protect our troops overseas and our citizens from the threat of foreign terrorist attacks,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.
He advocated for the law to be extended unchanged for 18 months. The effort initially appeared to be on track in the House, but ultimately stalled amid pushback from within Trump’s own Republican Party.
Critics included Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who has been a frequent critic of Trump.
“I will vote against final passage of the FISA 702 reauthorization bill unless it includes the warrant clause and other reforms that protect Americans’ privacy rights,” he wrote in a statement ahead of the House vote.
