Lawmakers discuss warrant requirements and oversight measures as expiration deadline for Section 702 approaches.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
House Republicans are discussing potential changes to federal surveillance rules while moving toward a temporary extension of a key intelligence authority set to expire later this month, according to comments from Rep. Jim Jordan.
Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said lawmakers remain open to adding privacy protections for Americans while ensuring that Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act continues without interruption. He made the remarks in an interview reported by the Washington Examiner.
Section 702 allows U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor foreign individuals located outside the United States. The authority is scheduled to expire April 20 unless Congress acts.
Jordan said proposals under consideration include measures modeled on legislation that would require warrants in certain cases involving Americans’ data.
“We will continue to work on that,” Jordan said. “We think that makes sense. … We still like that idea.”
At the same time, he said Republican lawmakers are focused on maintaining the surveillance authority in the near term, citing national security concerns. House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed an 18-month extension without additional changes, while discussions continue within the Republican conference.
Jordan said he and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford have been meeting with members to address concerns and build support for extending the program.
The debate follows past criticism of surveillance practices, including findings from a 2019 inspector general report that identified problems in how authorities were used during an investigation involving the Trump campaign. Jordan said changes made since then have altered how the program operates.
“It’s fundamentally a different program because of the work we’ve done,” he said. “With the 56 different reforms … certain accountability measures on the front end, accountability on the back end, if the rules and requirements aren’t followed, audits and reports and different things.”
He also cited a reduction in database searches involving Americans.
“Specifically in 2021, there were 3 million searches done,” Jordan said. “Last year, there were 9,000 on U.S. persons. In 2021, there were 10,000 agents who had the ability to search the database. Today it’s a much smaller number.”
Jordan said the administration has requested a temporary extension while addressing security concerns related to current international developments.
“During the middle of an operation in Iran … with attacks in our country in the last four weeks, the commander in chief said, ‘Can you give me an 18-month temporary extension?’” Jordan said. “It seems to me a temporary extension … is not too much to ask.”
Lawmakers remain divided on the issue. Some Democrats are seeking warrant requirements, while some Republicans have proposed linking the extension to other legislative priorities. With a narrow majority in the House, the outcome of the vote remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.
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