FISA Renewal ‘Critical’ for National Defense, Officials Say but Critics Demand More Privacy Safeguards

National Security Agency Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, here testifying before a House panel in 2021, says reauthoriziong FISA's Section 702 is "critical" to national security. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the United States’ 18 federal intelligence agencies to spy without a warrant on non-Americans overseas but many in Congress—especially Republicans—say the measure, adopted after the 9/11 attacks, has been abused and needs to be revised.

FISA’s Section 702 must be reauthorized by Congress every five years before it “sunsets,” or expires. Its latest renewal is before the end of 2023.