Whistleblower Edward Snowden urged President Joe Biden to veto the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) after the Senate approved the re-authorization. Snowden criticized the House and Senate for passing what he deemed unconstitutional, warrantless searches of Americans' communications.
Section 702, a tool for gathering intelligence on foreign subjects with the help of electronic communication service providers, received a 60-34 vote in the Senate. The measure now awaits Biden's signature.
Attorney General Merrick Garland defended Section 702 as crucial for protecting Americans from various threats, emphasizing its importance in the current global threat environment.
The provision briefly lapsed at midnight on Friday, highlighting the potential consequences of its expiration, including the need for warrants to compel surveillance assistance from companies.
Debates surrounding Section 702 have sparked bipartisan coalitions, with some emphasizing national security needs and others raising concerns about constitutional violations.
Despite proposed amendments by several senators to address FISA overreach, none garnered enough support to be included in the final bill.
Sen. Mark Warner opposed the consideration of amendments due to time constraints, leading to the bill's passage without additional reforms.
The House of Representatives had previously approved the bill, underscoring the balancing act between privacy and national security interests within Congress.
