House sets precarious path for renewing surveillance program

Source: Roll Call

Posted March 25, 2026 at 6:10pm


Speaker Mike Johnson previewed a floor strategy Wednesday that would leave little room for Republican defections as he pushes to renew a powerful surveillance authority, with chamber leadership navigating a precarious path amid objections from GOP critics of the program.

The Trump administration wants to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for 18 months with no changes. Backers of the program say it provides critical intelligence because it allows the U.S. government to collect the digital communications of foreigners located outside of the country.

But privacy-minded lawmakers have advocated for adding a warrant requirement regarding the searching of communications of Americans swept up under the program.

House leaders are looking to pass a measure before the statutory authority expires April 20 — but lawmakers won’t aim for a floor vote until they get back from a two-week recess, about a week before the deadline.

Read more: https://rollcall.com/2026/03/25/house-sets-precarious-path-for-renewing-surveillance-program/