House intel panel demands 45 FISA reforms after FBI surveillance abuses

[Geee]

NY Post

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence released 45 proposed changes Thursday to rules overseeing foreign surveillance by federal agencies, including robust measures in response to past FBI abuses.

In a 72-page report, committee members demanded new transparency measures, restrictions and oversight of activities that fall under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), as well as heightened penalties for authorities who misuse their authority under the law.

The House panel, led by Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), suggested significant changes to FISA’s so-called Section 702 authority, which will expire at the end of this year and has been a frequent target of criticism from congressional Republicans, who point to the FBI’s “widespread violations” of the law — including its “warrantless” surveillance of US citizens.

“The United States is currently at its greatest risk of a terrorist attack in nearly a decade,” Turner said in a statement. “We cannot afford to let this critical national security tool expire.”