House passes surveillance program extension bill

The House has approved legislation extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for three more years amid Senate uncertainty, according to The Record, a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.

The controversial law, which permits U.S. intelligence to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreign targets, faces opposition from the Senate GOP leaders because it includes a permanent ban on a Federal digital currency designed to attract support from conservative lawmakers.

"While no one in Washington can get 100% of what they want all the time, this bill makes measurable reforms to strengthen oversight and accountability, while maintaining the criticality of this national security tool," said House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford, R-Ariz. Meanwhile, the Center for Democracy and Technology's Jake Laperruque expressed disappointment over the House's passage of the measure.

Despite efforts to secure Senate approval, critics argue the bill offers only superficial benefits and lacks meaningful long-term solutions, potentially repeating past abuses related to spying and surveillance.