The U.S. Senate, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, has successfully passed a two-year reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), overcoming significant opposition and procedural challenges. The controversial bill, which allows for warrantless surveillance of foreigners abroad but has also been criticized for enabling the incidental collection of data on U.S. citizens, was passed with a vote of 60-34 just before a Friday deadline. This legislative action took place after a brief lapse in the law's authority, which expired at midnight before the vote. The reauthorization now heads to President Biden's desk for approval. The debate in the Senate was intense, with discussions centering on the balance between national security needs and privacy rights. Amendments aimed at increasing privacy protections failed to pass.
The bill now goes to President Joe Biden, whose administration says FISA's warrantless spying power is vital to national security. Amendments to expand privacy safeguards failed. https://t.co/2ZS0dfbONE
The legislation reauthorizes the government's ability to collect troves of data — emails, texts, and phone calls — from foreigners living abroad, all without obtaining a warrant. https://t.co/ScvPxU6L0H
The legislation reauthorizes the government’s ability to collect troves of data—emails, texts, and phone calls—from foreigners living abroad, all without obtaining a warrant. https://t.co/NCPbsSYztN
Senate reauthorizes warrantless spy program against Americans https://t.co/nn2tK1GlUp
ICYMI: In the US, warrantless surveillance has been reauthorized. https://t.co/YsmaENjtI6
It passed with bipartisan support, but dozens of Senators voted against it, arguing the surveillance tool, first authorized in 2008, lacks sufficient privacy protections. https://t.co/NCPbsSYztN
The same passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) this morning just after midnight. It will now head to Biden’s desk where it’s expected to be signed. This will reauthorize the program that’s already being used. Some members of Congress wanted amendments… https://t.co/xPLm9OSXaj
Laboring into the early hours of Saturday morning, Congress reauthorized for two years a surveillance program that U.S. spy agencies regard as one of their most valuable tools and that critics on the left and the right say intrudes on Americans’ privacy. https://t.co/ochqMyzWCO
The legislation extends Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for two years. https://t.co/NCPbsSYztN
US lawmakers on Saturday approved the renewal of an electronic surveillance tool widely used by US intelligence agencies abroad, enabling to conduct surveillance without seeking a judicial warrants, and criticized by civil liberties organizations. ➡️ https://t.co/rCXEscCrHp https://t.co/4tmp9pHnMy
So, the Senate voted to resuthorize Section 702 of FISA without requiring a warrant for federal agencies to spy on Americans. Y'all are watching right...? Because they might be watching you. #FISA https://t.co/FlEuNkz2HB
The Senate on Saturday approved an extension of a warrantless surveillance law, sending President Biden legislation that national security officials say is crucial to fighting terrorism but that privacy advocates decry as a threat to Americans’ rights. https://t.co/EtV3PBDWF3
🚨BREAKING: 29 Senate republicans approves the extension of FISA in the wee hours of night https://t.co/Qiuy9QwKzC
"In a 60-34 vote senators approved a bill to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for two years just as it was due to expire, after several amendments failed. The legislation passed the House last week and is expected to be signed by President Biden,…
JUST IN: Senate Passes Bill to Renew FISA Warrantless Spy Program 60-34, Sending the Tyrannical Legislation to Biden’s Desk – Here are the 30 “Republicans” Who Voted Yes via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/t2lYCFIaAW
Lawmakers vote to reauthorize US spying law that critics say expands government surveillance https://t.co/RBgcoKpsaV
Senate Passes Spying Bill, Rejecting Privacy Concerns https://t.co/lSSzyavgQs
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, New York Democrat, said negotiators are still attempting to "see if there is a path" to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's section 702 "quickly." https://t.co/ScvPxU6L0H
Senate clears key government surveillance tool shortly after midnight lapse - https://t.co/ojkv6raMwe
U.S. Senate votes 60-34 to reauthorize a powerful surveillance tool the U.S. government describes as critical to combating terrorism, after defeating efforts by civil liberties advocates on the left and right to rein it in. https://t.co/gfWiyWVH4k
FISA’s Contested Section 702, Which Has Led to Warrantless Spying on U.S. Citizens, Advances in Senate https://t.co/Mwz7WtW2uY
🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: FISA PASSES SENATE VOTE The two-year reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) warrantless surveillance program passed by 60 votes to 34, sending the bill to Biden’s desk. While the bill will allow warrantless surveillance of foreigners… https://t.co/s8ESVy8ug2 https://t.co/ZExq9VzU4j
Senate passes FISA reauthorization 60-34 to align with House. Program stays on. Senate back at 9 am et today
Breaking: The Senate passed legislation renewing a controversial foreign spying power backed by the Biden administration, overcoming objections of privacy advocates https://t.co/hxvPt5tAYB https://t.co/hxvPt5tAYB
🚨BREAKING: Congress has just extended the controversial warrantless surveillance law for two more years. https://t.co/XSZVKMTb0Z
🚨BREAKING: Congress has just extended the controversial warrantless surveillance law for two years. https://t.co/7YNcEo0pbl
BREAKING: Thanks to Speaker Mike Johnson, Congress just extended the controversial warrantless surveillance law for two years, working late into early Saturday. It’s 1 am EST here in Washington. https://t.co/sFzVLcwvAO
Roughly 40 minutes after it lapsed, the Senate voted to pass a renewal of Section 702 of FISA, a government tool to gather intelligence on foreign subjects using the compelled assistance of electronic communication service providers. https://t.co/eRZA3Yrad9 #FoxNews
Congress’ intention when we passed FISA Section 702 was clear as could be—Section 702 is supposed to be used only for spying on foreigners abroad. Instead, sadly, it has enabled warrantless access to vast databases of Americans’ private phone calls, text messages, and e-mails.
Congress extends controversial warrantless surveillance law for two years https://t.co/PohFhIQWgU
60–34: Senate approves two-year reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The bill now heads to the White House. https://t.co/kFBJ2WtPqq
US Senate has agreement on FISA reauthorization, will vote on Friday night, Schumer says https://t.co/CCSdB2UiwC https://t.co/Yr98MrKx8r
"Senate reaches deal to vote on controversial spy powers." (via @burgessev) https://t.co/x8y3Bf6V64
Senate on ‘glide path’ to pass FISA extension ahead of midnight deadline https://t.co/ReqhGPtOBD
The US Senate has reached an agreement, and will vote later on Friday, to approve the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. https://t.co/GlKC1REqoe
#BREAKING: After hours of stalemate, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a deal to vote on a package of amendments to a House-passed bill to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) warrantless surveillance program. https://t.co/7hvgGhaQxn
Schumer: We good news for America's national security. Senators have reached an agreement that clears the way to approve FISA reauthorization tonight.. There was a great deal of doubt that we could get this done. But now we are on a glide path to passing this bill. Allowing FISA…
Senate Advances FISA’s Contested Section 702, Which Has Led to Warrantless Spying on U.S. Citizens https://t.co/Mwz7WtW2uY
Senate now taking a procedural vote to start debate on FISA bill. Program ends at midnight tonight
1) Senate is still heading toward a lapse in FISA tonight at 11:59:59 pm et. The Senate must vote, in some form, to begin debate on the bill tonight just after 8 pm et.
Senate Scrambles to Reach FISA Deal Before Midnight Deadline Members are divided over warrantless spying powers that have been used to target U.S. citizens. https://t.co/lW3z4gLBna
A bill to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s warrantless spying program stalled in the Senate because of a fight over amendments that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer worries could pass and send the bill back to the House. https://t.co/IftYxXowEL
The U.S. Senate overcame a key procedural hurdle to reauthorize a controversial #spying authority. https://t.co/uEFa7e37t2
The top Senate Democratic and GOP leaders called on lawmakers Friday to unite behind the government surveillance reauthorization bill before the legislation's key spying component expires at midnight. https://t.co/KQpAhMFIvd
Senate risks midnight lapse in FISA spy law over privacy concerns https://t.co/NOWhHzWbkp
Senate cruising toward a statuatory lapse in FISA authority tonight unless there’s an agreement
FISA’s Section 702 expires at midnight Friday, but Senate rules prohibit a final vote on the bill before Saturday unless all 100 Senators agree to speed it up. While there are enough votes to pass it, it only takes one Senator to block a speedy vote. https://t.co/GjaNQeHBC0
The legislation reauthorizes the government’s ability to collect troves of data — emails, texts, and phone calls —from foreigners living abroad, all without obtaining a warrant. https://t.co/GjaNQeHBC0
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) faces tight deadline to avoid Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrantless shutdown https://t.co/3MqCH81Yum https://t.co/GMtjWcUuyJ
It looks like it'll be a working weekend on Capitol Hill as Senate leaders struggle to pass a reauthorization of a warrantless surveillance program before tonight’s deadline. @AndrewDesiderio with more: https://t.co/geKTHPyKQu
Senate in session today, trying to get a deal among senators to align with House on FISA bill. FISA gets switched off tonight at midnight
The U.S. Senate on April 18 overcame a key procedural hurdle to reauthorize a controversial spying authority. https://t.co/uEFa7e37t2
Senate lawmakers advanced legislation to reauthorize a critical government surveillance tool, but bipartisan opposition may prevent final passage in time to stop a lapse of the law at midnight Friday. https://t.co/qlGhYhWdMn
Newsy FISA update for Senate watchers: —Leadership trying to get a deal on amendment votes to be able to wrap this up by tomorrow, but the concern is that some of them (like the warrant amendment that resulted in a tie in the House & Wyden’s amendment to scrap Turner provision)…
Senate advances vote on reauthorizing warrantless surveillance program https://t.co/c8wLllVi5G
Senate advances reauthorization of controversial 'spy tool' despite Republican hardliner threats to TANK the bill: Turmoil breaks out as GOP demand more fixes for FBI program that stops terror attacks but has snooped on Americans at January 6, BLM riots https://t.co/fB2GJLZYEB https://t.co/2Sriovaw1D
Senate advances FISA's powerful spy power tool that may lapse Friday https://t.co/j2vHp3pRxM
The Senate just voted to bring the House FISA bill to the floor for consideration and may not even allow votes on amendments. This issue demands a debate about meaningful reforms, not a rushed vote to rubber-stamp more warrantless government surveillance powers.
The Senate just advanced the controversial FISA surveillance bill by a 67-32 vote. Now leaders have to navigate a slew of amendment requests, particularly on warrant requirements and data providers, and try to pass it by the Friday deadline. https://t.co/19VNDJiaWN