Trending Now - New Proposal Emerges to Revive Controversial US Surveillance Powers

WHO:

NPR - Speaker Mike Johnson, R.-La., is the sponsor of the new proposal.

NPR - Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes is the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

NPR - House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is in touch with Johnson regarding the issue.

NPR - Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and constitutional law scholar, is negotiating a reform proposal.

NPR - Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania is a past chair of the Freedom Caucus.

WHAT:

NPR - Mike Johnson unveiled a new plan to extend key U.S. spy powers.

NPR - The program at the center of the debate is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

NPR - Section 702 is set to expire on April 30, 2026.

NPR - Johnson's proposal would reauthorize the program for three years without a warrant requirement.

NPR - The bill includes monthly explanations for reviews of Americans' information and criminal penalties for willful abuse.

NPR - Trump stated on Truth Social that he is willing to risk his rights for national security.

WHERE:

NPR - The discussions and proposals are taking place in the United States Congress.

WHEN:

NPR - The new proposal was revealed on Thursday, April 21, 2026.

NPR - The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, April 24, 2026.

WHY:

NPR - Privacy-minded lawmakers from both parties have sought specific court approval for targeted reviews of Americans' information.

NPR - Trump officials argue that a warrant requirement would overburden law enforcement and endanger national security.

NPR - Johnson's reforms are seen as an attempt to find a middle ground between national security and privacy concerns.

HOW:

NPR - The FBI must submit monthly explanations for reviews of Americans' information to an oversight official.

NPR - FBI agents are required to receive annual training on FISA and are generally barred from searching for information about U.S. persons for general criminal activity.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 17:22 UTC)

Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana has unveiled a new proposal to extend key U.S. spy powers under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire April 30th. The plan would reauthorize the program for three years without a warrant requirement, while also including monthly explanations for reviews of Americans' information and imposing criminal penalties for willful abuse. Discussions are ongoing in the U.S. Congress, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other lawmakers negotiating to balance national security needs with privacy concerns.