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Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — Section 702

State of Play:

Congress is deeply divided about renewal of a section of FISA that would give the federal government extraordinary leeway in its investigations and surveillance of American citizens.

State surveillance

FISA Section 702 and the 2024 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a legal framework under which the U.S. government can conduct electronic surveillance of non-U.S. persons abroad. This surveillance is authorized programmatically rather than individually. That is, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court authorizes the government to carry out this surveillance within approved parameters for up to one year at a time. The government does not have to seek court authorization for every individual it targets. (Congressional Research Service)

July 8, 2025

H.R.8035 — To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII

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