The push to reform a key surveillance law before it expires

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is key to U.S. counterterrorism efforts.


It authorizes U.S. intelligence agencies to intercept the electronic communications of foreign nationals, outside the United States.

But foreign nationals also talk to Americans. And lawmakers in both parties have long protested that this collection of phone calls, text messages and emails allow government agencies to monitor the conversations of Americans without a judicial warrant.

And FISA 702 is on a path to expire after Friday.

Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice explains her proposal for reform. 

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This episode was produced by Vincent Acovino, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon. It features additional reporting by Eric McDaniel. Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning.

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