US Congress Passes 45-Day Extension for FISA Section 702

U.S. House of Representatives passed a 45-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in a 261-111 vote on April 30, 2026, with 94 Democrats and 167 Republicans voting in favor. The Senate had approved the measure by unanimous consent earlier that day.

U.S. intelligence agencies' Section 702 authorities extended until June 12, 2026. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for signature. The extension did not incorporate proposed reforms to Section 702 sought by some Republicans and Democrats.

This vote marks the second short-term extension of Section 702 in April 2026. Congress previously passed a 10-day stopgap measure extending Section 702 on April 17, 2026, after it was set to lapse on April 20, 2026. The Senate rejected a bipartisan House proposal for a three-year reauthorization of Section 702 on April 30, 2026.

The rejected House bill included language banning the Federal Reserve from establishing a central bank digital currency. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the central bank digital currency ban a 'poison pill' on April 30, 2026. Sen.

Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, received assurance from Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mark Warner of Virginia on April 30, 2026, that they would send a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to declassify a recent FISA court decision.

The FISA Court issued a ruling on March 17, 2026, raising concerns about filtering tools used by the FBI, NSA, and other agencies for Section 702 data.

The declassification review of the March 17, 2026 FISA Court ruling is expected to be completed and released publicly within 15 days. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was first enacted in 2008. U.S.

Without a warrant. Communications of Americans talking to non-American targets abroad can be swept up under Section 702. Surveillance under Section 702 can continue through March 2027 via year-long certifications approved by a special federal court even without congressional extension.

In 2024, lawmakers voted on an amendment for a warrant requirement for Section 702, which failed in a 212-212 tie. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on April 15, 2026, advocating for renewing Section 702 with no changes.

“'We’re willing to give you 45 more days for us to negotiate this thing if the Speaker will actually sit down with us.'”

“'Fisa databases have been used to query political activists, members of Congress and their staff, random romantic interests of FBI agents, and we’re being told, ‘Oh, don’t worry, it’s not being abused any more.'”

“'This is not the outcome that any of us wanted for the FISA 702 program, but here we are.' — Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, during House debate on April 30, 2026. U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, said on April 30, 2026: 'We can make this happen if we’re willing to get rid of all the chaos and the pandemonium we’ve seen over the last several days and simply sit down and have a meaningful conversation and write the legislation.' Raskin also said from the House floor on April 30, 2026: 'Nothing about protecting our safety should prevent us from protecting our rights. We can have both.' Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said on April 30, 2026: 'The 702 program is incredibly important for protecting our national security and advancing our interest abroad. This temporary extension will ensure that there is no disruption to the program while we work out our differences on a longer reauthorization.' House Speaker Mike Johnson said on April 30, 2026: 'We have done our job. The Senate needs to do theirs.' Johnson also said on April 30, 2026: 'This is our last legislative day.' President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: 'I am willing to risk the giving up of my Rights and Privileges as a Citizen for our Great Military and Country!'”