Trump signs bill extending controversial surveillance powers until April 30
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump signed a bill extending a controversial surveillance program until April 30, providing a short-term renewal amid ongoing congressional debates.
- The program, authorized under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, allows agencies like the CIA and NSA to collect overseas communications without warrants, sometimes incidentally capturing American communications.
- Senate approved the extension in a last-minute effort to prevent the program's expiration, with Trump and Republican leaders emphasizing national security concerns.
- Attempts to pass longer-term renewals, including an 18-month extension and a five-year bill with revisions, failed, leading to the current stopgap measure.
- Critics continue to push for reforms, such as requiring warrants to access Americans' communications, citing civil liberties concerns.
