Democratic Leaders Push for Warrant Requirement in Bill to Extend Key Surveillance Power

Democratic leaders in both chambers say the bill cannot pass without a warrant requirement, as Section 702 nears its April 30 expiration.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) speaks to reporters following the weekly Democrat Senate policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on May 06, 2025, in Washington, Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Democratic leaders in both chambers—joined by some Republicans—said on April 28 that a long-term reauthorization of a key foreign surveillance authority due to expire April 30 will not pass without a warrant requirement to protect Americans.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the U.S. government to collect—without a warrant—communications of non-U.S. persons located outside the country. Critics say communications of Americans can be swept up incidentally and then queried by the FBI without judicial approval. On April 17, Congress passed a short-term extension that expires April 30.