The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (H.R. 6172) would modify and reauthorize through December 1, 2023 federal surveillance authorities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and subsequent laws. The bill would limit a number of authorities under Section 215 of the Patriot Act, such as prohibiting the collection of information when an individual has a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”
The Senate passed H.R. 6172 on May 14, 2020 by a vote of 80 to 16 (Roll Call 92). We have assigned pluses to the nays because, while many of the modifications to the FISA are positive from a freedom and privacy standpoint, Congress should have instead voted to not reauthorize the FISA and let it expire. Despite being labeled the “Foreign” Intelligence Surveillance Act, the act does permit surveillance of Americans who are not charged with any crime.
