House GOP leaders on Thursday unveiled the text of a new three-year extension of a key spy law, as Speaker Mike Johnson tried to overcome ultra-conservative resistance and pass it next week.
The proposed reauthorization of the so-called Section 702 law includes some new oversight and penalties for abuses of the spy authority but stops short of warrant requirements sought by GOP hard-liners.
Conservatives have pushed back on extending Section 702, which allows warrantless surveillance of foreigners, because of concerns about U.S. citizens being caught up in the program.
The faction that’s been opposing an extension has not yet signed off on the latest plan. GOP leaders plan to continue talks into the weekend.
Rep. Warren Davidson, an Ohio Republican who has been pushing back on a straight extension of Section 702, said on X that, “Collectively, this set of reforms provides robust privacy protections for American citizens.”
“Congress should bank this win and reauthorize Section 702,” he added. “Then, we should swiftly begin gutting the unmitigated surveillance state left growing unchecked during these 702 fights.”
The bill is on the agenda for a Monday meeting of House Rules, its next step before hitting the floor.
