Posted 4/16/2024, 12:13:00 AM
FISA Surveillance Program Faces Lapse as Senators Dispute Renewal
- Critical surveillance program Section 702 of FISA could temporarily lapse on Friday if senators don't reach an agreement to speed passage of a renewal bill
- Republican senators are demanding votes on amendments, especially related to requiring warrants for spying on Americans
- Without an agreement on amendments and timeline, processing the bill could take until Sunday, allowing the program to lapse
- There is dispute over whether intelligence agencies could continue eavesdropping for up to a year if the program lapses
- Frustration over separate issues like the Mayorkas impeachment trial is spilling over, with Sen. Lee forcing time-consuming procedural votes that could cause FISA to lapse