WASHINGTON, DC – US Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren recently denounced the Department of Justice’s request for a year-long extension of government surveillance powers under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), despite the statute’s expiration in less than two months.
“For too long, federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies have had nearly unchecked access to Americans’ personal data. A broad bipartisan coalition from across the political spectrum agrees that we should not greenlight another major surveillance reauthorization without carefully considering and enacting surveillance reform measures. In 2022 alone, the FBI used Section 702 over 200,000 times to unlawfully access Americans’ data without a warrant. These searches unjustly targeted innocent individuals, including a Member of Congress, individuals protesting after the police killing of George Floyd, visitors to FBI offices, and individuals based solely on their race.
“The House Judiciary Committee has overwhelmingly passed the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act with strong bipartisan support, a bill inspired by my Government Surveillance Reform Act. This legislation aims to significantly reduce surveillance overreach and safeguard Americans’ civil liberties without compromising national security.
“It is extraordinary that, despite broad support for substantial reform, the Department of Justice is discreetly attempting to bypass the legislative process to secure another surveillance reauthorization. This is unacceptable, and completely undermines the authority of the Congress. I urge Speaker Johnson to instead bring the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act to the House floor for a vote.”
