A bill to reform and reauthorize a controversial spy program cleared the House Intelligence Committee on Dec. 7 in a voice vote, setting up a clash with another bill the Judiciary Committee approved the day before.
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorizes the warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals located abroad.
Federal officials say the program is essential to protecting the homeland from foreign threats.
However, regular abuse by FBI employees using the program to spy on U.S. citizens has raised questions about how the law could be changed to protect both national security and basic privacy rights.
Now, with Section 702 set to expire on Dec. 31, both congressional chambers are in a scramble to find a solution that works for everyone—or at least the required majority….