President Trump signs 45-day extension for FISA surveillance law

The extension maintains the federal government's authority to collect communications data from foreigners without a warrant for another 45 days, delaying a final decision on the law's future and its impact on American privacy rights.

• •President Trump signed a 45-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
• •The Senate rejected a previously proposed three-year extension of the law.
• •The 45-day extension was passed by the Senate via unanimous consent.
• •The failed three-year extension included a provision to permanently ban the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
• •Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that the inclusion of the CBDC ban made the three-year bill 'dead on arrival' in the Senate.
• •Section 702 allows the government to compel phone and internet providers to share information about foreigners without a warrant, including communications with U.S. citizens.
• •More than 20 Republicans maintained opposition to the FISA extension despite the inclusion of the CBDC ban.
• •Congress must restart the extension process once the 45-day period expires.