Controversial spy tool faces uncertain future ahead of House vote

Politics Controversial surveillance program faces uncertain future ahead of House vote By Caitlin Yilek Caitlin Yilek Politics Reporter Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Read Full Bio Caitlin Yilek April 15, 2026 / 9:48 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Washington — A key surveillance authority, the spy tool known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, faces major obstacles in the House ahead of its expiration next Monday. Proponents of its renewal stress that it's imperative that the surveillance tool not be allowed to lapse as the war with Iran continues. National security officials have long argued Section 702 is essential for preventing terrorist attacks. But opponents from both parties worry that it allows federal authorities to look at Americans' communications without a search warrant.House GOP leaders pushed off a floor vote until days before the April 20 deadline as several factions in the lower chamber oppose its renewal without additional reforms, making its passage uncertain. Section 702 was last renewed for two years in 2024 after a series of abuses by the FBI led it to the brink of expiration. The provision was first authorized in 2008 and allows the government to collect the communications of noncitizens located outside the U.S. without a warrant, though it can also sweep up the data of Americans who are in contact with targeted foreigners. The Trump administration is pushing an 18-month reauthorization of the law without any changes. President Trump on Tuesday urged Republican unity to help propel the clean extension through a party-line procedural vote that's expected Wednesday. The president met with some skeptical GOP lawmakers Tuesday night. A White House official told CBS News...