Recent developments in Washington indicate a contentious debate over the reauthorization and reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), specifically its Section 702, which allows warrantless surveillance. Criticism has emerged from various quarters, including members of Congress and privacy advocates, over plans to keep the text of proposed reforms hidden from the public and to conduct part of the floor debate in secret. Critics argue that such measures undermine transparency and could perpetuate privacy invasions. House Republicans have introduced a new package aimed at reforming the nation's warrantless surveillance powers, amidst internal disagreements over the scope of reform. This legislative effort coincides with reports of the FBI's extensive misuse of FISA 702 to spy on American citizens, including political figures and donors, without warrants, hundreds of thousands of times. The House Freedom Caucus plans to hold a press conference to oppose the current state of surveillance practices, emphasizing the need for serious reform to protect constitutional rights. The debate intensifies as Section 702 was set to expire at the end of the year, highlighting its widespread unpopularity.
House Republicans unveil bill to address warrantless surveillance powers Section 702 was set to expire at the end of the year, though the House extended the deadline to April amid intense internal disagreements over scope of reform. Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/auZx1m48DP
House Republicans unveiled a new package for reauthorizing and reforming the nation’s warrantless surveillance powers, pushing forward text while prepping for a floor battle over controversial provisions. https://t.co/tOuhNq9MWN https://t.co/asxMo8KmER
NEW REPORT: The bills from the House Judiciary and House Intelligence Committees for reforming FISA and reauthorizing the act’s Section 702 surveillance authority both include good reforms—but each also includes problematic provisions. @SGBradbury https://t.co/iJDWWootir
I'll be there standing up for the American people against the surveillance state. ⬇️ American citizens shouldn't be warrantlessly spied on by their own government. FISA needs serious reform. https://t.co/iIhqrpai7I
Tomorrow, the House Freedom Caucus will host a press conference on the reauthorization of FISA that is under consideration in the House this week. The era of constitutional abuses and warrantless spying on American citizens must end. https://t.co/Ee9RilsnhF
NEW: Top congressional lawmakers are meeting in private to discuss the future of a widely unpopular surveillance program, worrying members devoted to reforming Section 702. https://t.co/UBaREbuwKg
Top congressional lawmakers are meeting in private to discuss the future of a widely unpopular surveillance program, worrying members devoted to reforming Section 702. https://t.co/M9VST9hLB9
This will be a big week for FISA reform. The FBI has abused FISA 702 hundreds of thousands of times to spy on American citizens – including a U.S. congressman and political donors. Our intel community must have a warrant for all U.S. person searches. I'll keep you posted.
Reporting from @politico suggests House intelligence committee leaders want at least part of the floor debate on Section 702 to happen IN SECRET. If true, these are bush league tactics and a new low for opponents of surveillance reform. 1/8 https://t.co/o5K8iqrmO9
Reports are the House plans to go into secret session to debate the FISA reauthorization. This is almost certainly bad for the American people. See the last time this happened. https://t.co/XNa1jp1Iit
Last week the Senate kept the text hidden for a bad border plan. This week the House is keeping the text hidden for a bad plan to keep spying on Americans by abusing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). They want to: - Keep spying (no warrants) - Keep buying data…