Butler County Today

Rep. Warren Davidson has made a strong stance against the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) through the National Defense Reauthorization Act (NDAA). In a letter addressed to key Congressional leaders, Davidson emphasized his opposition to reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA alongside the NDAA.

“Under no circumstance should Congress fully reauthorize Section 702 of FISA as an attachment to the NDAA,” stated Rep. Warren Davidson, highlighting concerns about mass warrantless surveillance on American citizens by U.S. Intelligence agencies under this provision. He called for open debate, amendments, and reform before any reauthorization of the legislation.

Joining Davidson in his call for restraint, Rep. Zoe Lofgren echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for robust reforms to protect Americans' civil liberties while preserving national security. Lofgren highlighted the misuse of FISA Section 702 beyond its original anti-terrorism scope, leading to unwarranted government intrusion into private communications.

Rep. Andy Biggs also voiced his concerns, stating, "The intelligence community is attacking our Fourth Amendment privacy rights. Rogue actors continue to abuse FISA Section 702 to improperly spy on American citizens." He urged support for standalone FISA reform efforts and criticized the potential tying of spying authority reauthorization to must-pass legislation like the NDAA.

Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Americans' privacy rights, Rep. Pramila Jayapal called for strong scrutiny and debate on Section 702 reauthorization, asserting that warrantless surveillance of Americans must be curbed through necessary reforms.

Rep. Warren Davidson, alongside 54 House Republican and Democrat colleagues, expressed opposition to reauthorizing FISA through the NDAA or any other "must-pass" legislative vehicle. The group highlighted that a temporary extension of Section 702 would be unnecessary and a breach of public trust.

The collective efforts of these representatives underscore the importance of ensuring proper oversight and reform in reauthorizing FISA, signaling a commitment to protecting citizens' rights while upholding national security interests.