Competing Section 702 surveillance bills on collision path for US House floor

Congress is advancing two competing House bills to reauthorize FISA Section 702: the Judiciary Committee’s HR 6570 would renew 702 for three years while requiring warrants for U.S.-person queries, and the Intelligence Committee’s HR 6611 would reauthorize 702 without a strict warrant requirement but impose tighter FBI query controls and reporting. Privacy and civil liberties groups support HR 6570 and criticize HR 6611 as potentially expanding surveillance beyond communications providers, while a broader Government Surveillance Reform Act with a warrant requirement also awaits action. Full House votes could occur as early as next week.