US officials make case for renewing FISA surveillance powers

By ERIC TUCKER and NOMAAN MERCHANT
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Biden administration officials are urging Congress to renew a surveillance program the U.S. government has long seen as vital in countering overseas threats of terrorism, cyberattacks and espionage operations. The program is under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, and grants American spy agencies sweeping powers to surveil and examine communications of foreigners located outside the United States. The program is set to expire at year’s end unless Congress agrees to renew it. Officials in the Democratic administration are bracing for a contentious debate on Capitol Hill about reauthorizing the program, with civil liberties advocates aligning with Republicans in raising concerns about the scope of the government’s spy powers.