• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy House Intel Committee defends FISA but suggests reforms amid debate over controversial surveillance program
Economy

House Intel Committee defends FISA but suggests reforms amid debate over controversial surveillance program

by November 17, 2023
by November 17, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The House Intelligence Committee is unveiling a series of proposals to reform a key surveillance tool that has been both credited with preventing terror attacks on U.S. soil and accused of being a vehicle for spying on U.S. citizens. 

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) lets the U.S. government keep tabs on specific foreign nationals outside the country without first obtaining a warrant to do so.

The 73-page report by Republicans on the committee’s bipartisan FISA Working Group was led by Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill. It defends Section 702, added to FISA in 2008, as a critical part of U.S. defense in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. 

‘[I]t is hard to find an adjective that adequately describes a tool that has done as much to safeguard American lives and liberty as it has,’ the report said. ‘We are unable to calculate just how many lives it has saved. It is worth noting that there has not been another 9/11 since Section 702’s inception, despite the persistent threat of terrorism.’

However, the report also acknowledges, ‘Section 702 has a number of problems requiring significant reform — from the need for increased penalties, compliance, and oversight, to the querying abuses by the FBI.’

Section 702 is set to expire at the end of this year, and is already facing an uphill battle for renewal. 

Critics of the program have accused it of being overbroad and susceptible to abuse. Members of Congress on both the extreme right and left have claimed it encroaches on Americans’ civil liberties, specifically if the FBI conducts warrantless surveillance on communications between Americans and foreign nationals.

Allies of former President Trump, including Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., have claimed the program was used to improperly spy on the Trump 2016 campaign, including ex-aide Carter Page.

However, the Friday report sought to beat back those accusations. Lawmakers disputed the notion that Section 702 allows the intelligence community to access all of a U.S. citizen’s correspondence if they communicate with a foreign national.

‘If a U.S. person communicates with a target of Section 702 collection, only the specific correspondence in which the foreign target is a party is collected — this is referred to as ‘incidental collection.’ The government can never target U.S. persons whose communications are incidentally collected under Section 702,’ it said. 

The report also calls Section 702 ‘individualized and extremely limited’ to foreigners ‘who possess or communicate specific types of foreign intelligence information.’

Additionally, while lawmakers acknowledge that FBI abuses were found to have occurred in the FBI’s surveillance of Page and the 2016 Trump campaign, they maintained that those were separate from Section 702. 

Among the specific reforms to the FISA tool that the House Republican report offered were proposals to drastically limit the number of FBI personnel who can authorize specific instances of Section 702’s use, and strengthening warrant requirements for some instances of surveillance.

Lawmakers also proposed barring the FBI from getting Section 702 information that is not specifically related to a specific existing national security case.

Details on suggested heightened penalties for abuse of FISA and Section 702 were also included. 

They sought to give Congress greater oversight over the FISA courts as well, including allowing members of Congress to attend sessions as well as requiring court hearings to be transcribed and made available to lawmakers.

The report also included ways to expand Section 702 for what lawmakers argue is more effective use – such as ‘to expand the ability for the NSA to target international drug trafficking operations, including those distributing fentanyl and precursor chemicals, by including counternarcotics in the definition of Foreign Intelligence.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Bernie Sanders will not run for president, endorses Biden bid for re-election: Report
  • Burgess Owens slams San Francisco’s $5 million reparations plan: ‘Condescending, counterproductive, illogical’
  • Maryland Court says parents can’t opt kids out of LGBTQ+ curriculum: ‘Not a fundamental right’
  • Trump’s Tariffs: Canada, Mexico Pause, China Levies Continue
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
GOP senators rail against Tuberville’s military holds nearly all night
next post
NY Rep. George Santos, who flipped blue seat, says he won’t run for re-election in wake of ethics report

You may also like

State Department says ‘major sanctions package’ coming to hold Russia...

February 21, 2024

UK’s Rochdale candidate loses Labour Party backing over antisemitic remarks...

February 14, 2024

Pennsylvania allots $400M in federal funds for on-the-job infrastructure worker...

August 1, 2023

Jeffrey Epstein allegedly threatened Bill Gates over reported affair with...

May 22, 2023

Ohio lawmaker moves to force vote on constitutional amendment rules

March 30, 2023

205 Democrats vote against bill forcing federal workers to return...

February 2, 2023

China seeks to gain ‘foothold’ on America’s doorstep amid border...

July 17, 2023

Popular GOP governor reveals key for candidates onstage at Republican...

August 22, 2023

Pentagon pivot: Officials ‘not pursuing’ back pay for troops fired...

January 18, 2023

Professors Are Not “Priests of Democracy”

December 3, 2022

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters renovation

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025
    • OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

      July 10, 2025
    • Sports executive charged with bid-rigging in Texas arena project

      July 10, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,631 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,919 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,607 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,577 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,450 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters...

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Democrats in Biden’s home state are...

    December 28, 2023

    New York Senate rejects Gov. Hochul’s...

    January 19, 2023

    Biden not in contact with Dem...

    July 2, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here