House Approves FISA Surveillance Extension Amid Senate Opposition Over Digital Currency Ban

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a three-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a key government surveillance authority that allows warrantless spying, following weeks of internal negotiations among House Republicans.

The bill, however, is unlikely to advance in the Senate, where lawmakers from both parties have expressed opposition to a provision added by the House that bans the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

Why This Matters

Section 702 is set to expire at midnight on Thursday, raising concerns about a potential lapse in a vital national security tool if Congress fails to reach an agreement. The House vote on Wednesday evening resulted in a 235-191 outcome, with bipartisan opposition to the bill.

House GOP Adds CBDC Ban to Secure Conservative Support

House Republican leaders included the CBDC ban in the FISA reauthorization bill to gain the backing of conservative holdouts who had demanded broader surveillance reforms. However, the addition has been deemed a nonstarter in the Senate, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) calling it a "poison pill."

Background: Short-Term FISA Extension Passed Earlier This Month

This week’s vote follows a short-term extension of FISA passed earlier in the month after a group of Republicans blocked attempts to renew the program for five years or 18 months. The temporary measure was a last-resort option for GOP leadership, intended to buy two additional weeks to negotiate a long-term extension.

What Happens Next?

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that the Senate will attempt to pass its own version of the FISA extension, which would then need to return to the House for approval. Without the removal of the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act or significant reforms to Section 702, the Senate’s bill is expected to face significant challenges in the House.