Press

WASHINGTON - Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced that the Committee voted 12-3 to approve the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017.

Senator Burr: “This bill reauthorizes our nation’s most valuable intelligence collection authorities and ensures that the men and women of the Intelligence Community and our law enforcement agencies have the tools and authorities they need to keep us safe.  It represents the collective effort of the Committee’s membership and is the result of extensive discussion and debate that began with an open hearing this past summer.  The bill not only enhances national security but also includes provisions that increase the privacy protections of American citizens, increases the penalties for leakers of classified information, and strengthens the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.  It is a bill this Committee can be proud of and I look forward to its passing the Senate without delay.”

Senator Warner: “Today's bill approved by the intelligence committee on a bipartisan basis makes substantial improvements in strengthening judicial and congressional oversight of the government's queries of lawfully collected U.S. person data.  It is a good compromise bill that addresses privacy and civil liberties concerns while maintaining a critical tool essential for our intelligence and law enforcement professionals to protect the nation.”

About the Bill:

The bill extends the sunset of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to December 31, 2025.

It also:

• Provides additional privacy protections for US Persons;
• Requires additional transparency into Section 702 targets through reporting to Congress;
• Enhances penalties against leakers;
• Strengthens the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and its ability to hire and deliberate;
• Enables the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to more effectively leverage impartial advisers (Amicus Curiae) and technical support.