Rep. Crank Votes to Protect National Security from Foreign Threats

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05) voted in favor of a clean, 18-month extension to the reforms that Congress passed two years ago in the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA).

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 allows the US Government to collect electronic communications of foreign nationals outside the US with access to foreign intelligence-such as terrorists, spies, weapons proliferators, and drug traffickers. Section 702 helps the federal government identify and stop foreign threats and collect intelligence to protect the homeland. Section 702 cannot be used to target Americans' private data.

In 2024, Congress passed RISAA into law as the largest FBI and FISA reform in decades, with 56 reform mandates. All the reforms have been implemented, however, an additional, clean, 18-month extension will confirm whether the RISAA reforms have been institutionalized or whether more reforms are needed.

"After spending time reviewing and looking through relevant documentation from multiple agencies, I am encouraged that an 18-month extension of these reforms is the right direction for our country," said Rep. Crank. "The reforms have already shown to be successful, and I will continue to show my commitment to oversight in ensuring that Americans' Constitutional rights are not compromised."

Background:

• To be clear, the US Government cannot use Section 702 to target Americans' electronic communications for collection. That would require a warrant under a different FISA authority.
• Every Section 702 target is carefully reviewed to ensure that they are foreigners, located overseas, who communicate foreign intelligence information.
• Section 702 is the most extensively overseen US intelligence collection tool, with built-in protections for Americans' privacy.

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