House Approves Three-Year Renewal of FISA Section 702

The House of Representatives approved a three-year renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act on April 29, 2026. The vote on the Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act passed 235-191. The legislation extends the surveillance powers under Section 702 for three years.

A handful of Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about the renewal of the foreign surveillance powers resolution approved by the House on April 29, 2026. President Donald Trump urged Republicans last week to vote for a clean extension of the surveillance powers due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The legislation allows a larger group of lawmakers to review information presented to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

The House of Representatives voted 235 to 191 to extend Section 702 of FISA for three years on April 29, 2026. , struggled for weeks to win over privacy-minded Republicans before the House vote on April 29, 2026. GOP defections caused the failure of five-year and 18-month extensions earlier in April 2026.

Forty-two Democrats supported the House bill extending Section 702 on April 29, 2026. Twenty-two Republicans opposed the House bill extending Section 702 on April 29, 2026. The measure extending Section 702 heads to the Senate ahead of a Thursday night deadline on April 29, 2026.

The legislation renewing Section 702 must pass the Senate by Friday, April 29, 2026. U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept electronic communications of foreign nationals located outside the United States.

Nearly 350,000 targets' communications are collected under FISA Section 702 authority each year. Some of the nearly 350,000 targets under FISA Section 702 are in touch with Americans, resulting in their calls, texts, and emails being available to the federal government.

A group of lawmakers from both parties has sought reforms to Section 702 for almost two decades, including a requirement for specific court approval before searching Americans' information in the FISA database.

Top intelligence officials stated that a warrant requirement would inhibit the efficacy of the FISA tool and endanger national security. Stewart Baker, former National Security Agency general counsel, testified before Congress in January 2026. Rep.

Wrote on X that 'FISA is undeniably useful in protecting America against foreign attacks' in the days before the April 29, 2026 vote. Rep. , wrote on X that 'If not adequately checked, FISA powers will facilitate the violation of American citizens' Fourth Amendment rights' in the days before the April 29, 2026 vote.

Federal law enforcement will be required to seek approval from attorneys before targeted reviews of Americans' information under the passed legislation. Each query of Americans' information under the passed legislation must have a written justification submitted to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Misuse of the FISA tool under the passed legislation could result in criminal penalties of up to five years in prison.

Speaker Mike Johnson attached a provision banning any future Central Bank Digital Currency to the renewal bill to win over hardliners. , has repeatedly told reporters that the CBDC provision is unacceptable in the Senate. U.S.

Capitol on April 28, 2026. U.S. Capitol on April 28, 2026.