US House passes 3-year extension of controversial surveillance authority

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a three-year extension of a controversial surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), sending the measure to the Senate ahead of a looming expiration deadline later this week.

The bill passed by a 235-191 vote with support from both Republicans and Democrats.

The legislation renews Section 702 of the FISA, which allows US intelligence agencies to collect, without a warrant, communications of non-US persons located abroad for foreign intelligence purposes. While the program targets foreigners, it can also incidentally capture communications involving Americans.

The authority has long been debated in Congress, with critics warning it could enable warrantless surveillance affecting Americans.