December 04, 2023
The PLEWSA overhauls Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and requires a warrant for all U.S. person searches. FISA 702 authorizes the federal government to intercept electronic communications of non-U.S. persons who are located outside of the United States. But, the communications of Americans are often swept up when monitoring foreign persons, are kept by the intelligence agencies, and can be later accessed without a warrant. This type of backdoor surveillance has been going on for decades and allows for rampant abuse of the FISA authorities.
The legislation additionally reforms the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and closes loopholes that allow the federal government to purchase Americans’ data from Big Tech companies without a warrant.
Rep. Sara Jacobs Joins Bipartisan Coalition to Introduce Legislation to End Warrantless Surveillance of Americans
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) joined a bipartisan coalition in introducing the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act (PLEWSA)—legislation that ends the warrantless surveillance of Americans.The PLEWSA overhauls Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and requires a warrant for all U.S. person searches. FISA 702 authorizes the federal government to intercept electronic communications of non-U.S. persons who are located outside of the United States. But, the communications of Americans are often swept up when monitoring foreign persons, are kept by the intelligence agencies, and can be later accessed without a warrant. This type of backdoor surveillance has been going on for decades and allows for rampant abuse of the FISA authorities.
The legislation additionally reforms the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and closes loopholes that allow the federal government to purchase Americans’ data from Big Tech companies without a warrant.
"It’s impossible to know the full scale of our own government’s surveillance on Americans’ personal communications from phone calls and website searches to emails and location data – but we do know it’s been happening unchecked for decades. That’s why I’m so proud to join this strong bipartisan effort to bring much-needed reform and oversight to our country’s surveillance programs. Our legislation will give intelligence agencies the necessary tools to keep our country safe while protecting Americans’ constitutional right to privacy," said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA).