Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorizes warrantless surveillance of non-U.S. persons located outside the United States to gather foreign intelligence.
On June 5, 2026, seven Republican senators joined Democrats to block a procedural vote to open debate on reauthorizing the law before its scheduled expiration.
Supporters, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, have said Section 702 produces a significant share of the intelligence in the President's Daily Brief.
Critics, including civil liberties groups and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, point to FBI compliance audits showing improper queries of the database involving U.S. persons.
Without congressional reauthorization, intelligence agencies have said collection under existing certifications could continue for a limited period before the program effectively 'goes dark.'