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119 · HR 8035 To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes.

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This bill extends the authorities of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until October 20, 2027. The bill also extends certain transition procedures that become effective in...

H.R. 8035 would extend key foreign‑intelligence surveillance authorities (FISA Title VII, including Section 702) to October 20, 2027. Supporters say this tool helps track foreign threats; opponents warn it enables warrantless searches of Americans’ communications unless stronger safeguards are added.

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Published
16 Apr 2026
Updated
16 Apr 2026
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Public Summary · FISA · Section 702
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Public Summary: H.R. 8035 (119th Congress)

Headline Summary: Extend FISA Title VII (including Section 702) through October 20, 2027, keeping a major foreign‑intelligence surveillance tool in place while a privacy debate continues.

What It Does: The bill’s core purpose is simple—it pushes back the expiration ("sunset") of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to October 20, 2027. In practice, that keeps Section 702 and related authorities running for roughly 18 more months. The changes take effect upon enactment or on April 19, 2026, whichever comes first.

Why It Matters: Section 702 lets the government, with court‑approved procedures, target non‑U.S. persons located abroad to collect foreign‑intelligence information from U.S. providers; it may incidentally sweep in Americans’ messages, which agencies can later search under set rules. Supporters call it vital for countering terrorism, cyber, and spy threats; civil‑liberties experts and oversight bodies have flagged risks to Americans’ privacy and urged tighter guardrails (for example, stronger checks on searches using U.S.‑person identifiers). (congress.gov)

Who’s For It:

  • Sponsor: Rep. Eric Crawford (R‑AR), who introduced the bill in the House.
  • Intelligence and law‑enforcement agencies (DOJ, FBI, ODNI) generally back maintaining Section 702, arguing it’s indispensable and now operates under stricter, court‑approved rules and internal reforms. (fbi.gov)
  • Many national‑security‑focused lawmakers in both parties who prioritize retaining 702’s foreign‑intelligence value (often alongside some reforms).

Who’s Against It:

  • Civil‑liberties groups (e.g., ACLU and allied coalitions) oppose a straight extension and want a firm warrant requirement before the government searches Americans’ communications, plus other limits. (aclu.org)
  • The independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) has recommended additional safeguards to reduce risks to Americans’ privacy when 702 collects their communications incidentally. (pclob.gov)

What’s Next: As of April 16, 2026, the House Rules Committee has reported a closed rule for floor debate; a House vote is the next step. If it passes, the bill moves to the Senate; any differences would need to be reconciled before going to the President. The bill references April 19, 2026, as a key date for its effective‑on‑enactment timing.

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