Center for Democracy and Technology

Democratic lawmakers criticized President Trump's proposed budget priorities, which include $1 billion for White House security and ballroom renovations and $1.8 billion for January 6-related incentives, while his administration cuts cybersecurity funding by $707 million and eliminates federal support for state and local threat detection services. Expert witnesses testified that reduced cybersecurity funding disproportionately impacts smaller jurisdictions that most need protection.

The latest attempt to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has failed to satisfy critics on both political sides. House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a three-year extension bill with language prohibiting targeting Americans, but civil liberties groups and conservative watchdogs argue it lacks meaningful reforms and ignores warrant requirements for U.S. person searches.

Congress is reauthorizing the 2024 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA), which renews Section 702 of FISA, allowing warrantless surveillance of foreign targets and enabling U.S. officials to search communications linked to Americans overseas. Critics argue the law’s benefits are unclear and raise privacy concerns, while supporters claim it includes significant reforms to address past abuses. The law’s extension remains contentious, with debates over its effectiveness and potential for expanded surveillance.

Democrats in the House are divided on renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), with leadership offering no clear guidance as debates over reforms versus a 'clean' reauthorization unfold. The law, Section 702, grants the Trump administration warrantless access to Americans' communications, sparking concerns about surveillance abuses and oversight failures.