admin
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan highlighted concerns about government surveillance overreach under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) during an April 2025 interview on The Record with Greta Van Susteren. He criticized warrantless searches of Americans’ communications collected incidentally during foreign intelligence operations, arguing such practices violate Fourth Amendment protections.
– Jordan emphasized that if the government wants to search Americans’ data obtained via Section 702, it must first obtain a warrant from a judge. He cited a federal court ruling that questioned the legality of warrantless queries on data the government wasn’t supposed to collect from Americans in the first place.
– His proposed reforms include exceptions for exigent circumstances, such as imminent threats, to address national security concerns.
– Jordan noted the FBI conducted of U.S. persons’ data in recent years, including targeting protesters, journalists, and political donors. He blamed the Biden administration for weakening oversight mechanisms, such as eliminating audits of these searches.
Critics, including some intelligence officials, argue warrant requirements would slow responses to threats. Jordan countered that the government often prioritizes “convenience over constitutional rights” and stressed the Founders designed the Fourth Amendment to prevent unchecked surveillance.
– In 2024, the House Judiciary Committee advanced a bipartisan bill (H.R. 6570) to mandate warrants for U.S. person queries, but it failed on the House floor.
– Jordan plans to renew the push ahead of Section 702’s April 2026 expiration, leveraging bipartisan support and recent court rulings to strengthen reform efforts.
The debate centers on balancing national security with civil liberties, reflecting broader tensions between privacy advocates and intelligence agencies.
