Congresswoman Escobar Statement on FISA Reauthorization Bill

This press release from Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "Congresswoman Escobar Statement on FISA Reauthorization Bill".

Congresswoman Escobar Statement on FISA Reauthorization Bill

Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement on the FISA reauthorization bill: “Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is a powerful tool for collecting foreign intelligence and helping keep our country safe. But with that power comes a real responsibility to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of the American people. The Trump Administration has engaged in a whole-of-government approach to overriding Americans’ civil liberties and constitutional rights, and Congress must use every opportunity to protect our citizens from this administration. "Reforms enacted in recent years have been moving this authority in the right direction, but there are still serious concerns about how broad this authority is and how it can be used, particularly when it involves collecting Americans’ communications without a warrant. "I believe we can protect both our national security and our civil liberties, but doing so requires stronger guardrails than those currently in place - particularly during this era. Until meaningful, enforceable reforms are adopted - especially those that close loopholes and ensure robust protections for Americans’ privacy - I cannot support reauthorization of Section 702. "Our responsibility is not only to keep the American people safe, but also to uphold the rights and freedoms that define us as a nation. We must do both."