During the discussions among House Republicans about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a tactic has surfaced where proponents are looking to leverage this surveillance bill to push forward the SAVE America Act.
Supporters, including Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna from Florida, are suggesting a connection between the Election Integrity Act and the FISA extension, arguing that it enhances the chances of both bills being passed.
FISA is the perfect vehicle to enact and force a vote on the SAVE America Act because the Senate will be walking on broken glass to pass FISA.
No more excuses. No more delays. Attach it and give it to them to get your voter ID. pic.twitter.com/Ud9uonlvWR
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) March 17, 2026
However, a group of Senate Republicans recently blocked efforts to attach the SAVE America Act to a budget reconciliation bill during the Senate’s intense “Vote-a-Rama” session. This chaotic period allows senators to propose and vote on a myriad of amendments, regardless of their relevance to the core budget.
The attempt to marry the SAVE America Act with other legislation has revealed some rifts within the Republican party regarding the way forward, particularly following a recent brief 10-day extension of FISA.
Some Republicans are hesitant about bundling different bills, contending that they should be evaluated independently. Their concerns are closely tied to Section 702. Critics raise alarms about its implications for civil liberties, worried that it might lead to the surveillance of American citizens.
Those opposed to merging these initiatives argue that combining election integrity reforms with oversight powers could undermine broader support, especially if it appears to compromise on issues like proof of citizenship requirements or stricter regulations on voter rolls. They fear that pursuing these issues concurrently could dilute their effectiveness if tackled separately.
Kentucky State Senator Thomas Massey expressed his disapproval of this strategy on his podcast, Free The People, emphasizing his belief that no one should have to sacrifice Fourth Amendment rights for a secure election.
Massey, along with Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert from Colorado, recently pushed forth the “Supervisory Responsibility Law.” If it passes, this would mandate federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to procure a probable cause warrant before accessing any personal digital data belonging to Americans, even if stored by third-party service providers.
I have introduced HR 8470, the Oversight Accountability Act. @RepBoebert.
The federal government requires a probable cause warrant to search personal data, even if that data is held by a third party.
Searches without a warrant are unconstitutional. pic.twitter.com/kXJPUa8m6I
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 23, 2026
Representative Pat Harrigan from North Carolina shared during a recent discussion that the negotiations have been protracted, stating that Congress shouldn’t “continue to push the envelope.” He suggested that the lengthy process indicates a “clean” Section 702 reauthorization isn’t feasible, but he believes that’s a positive development.
“I’m more selective about what we include in legislation, focusing on guardrails and limitations,” Harrigan noted. He underscored that the duration of the extension matters less than ensuring solid protections are embedded in the law.
Harrigan added that a crucial concern among some lawmakers is how the FBI’s use of its surveillance powers has inflated scrutiny, rather than issues stemming from the broader intelligence community. He argued that reforms should target preventing potential misuse of these tools.
Republican Tim Burchett also shared his skepticism about the push to merge the two bills. He commented on the legislative strategy, suggesting that waiting until the last moment could lead to significant issues in implementing FISA.
.@RepTimBurchett On a possible FISA extension: “I think it’s going to take away all the safeguards that we put in place. I’m worried because we were complaining about that under the Biden administration, but now all of a sudden all of this is becoming okay. I don’t support that.” pic.twitter.com/UuqEzo0Ahk
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 21, 2026
Similarly, Republican Mark Harris remarked that the negotiations regarding attaching the SAVE America Act to the FISA extension seem filled with “political gamesmanship.” He expressed his desire to concentrate on real issues rather than on what he sees as maneuvers.
Harris reiterated the importance of passing the SAVE America Act but expressed disappointment over the Senate’s lack of action. He acknowledged that it might eventually get tacked onto FISA, though he sees that as more of a political strategy. “Ultimately, when examining FISA, I want to ensure there are safeguards that uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights,” he stated, highlighting the significance of strong protections in the ongoing debates.
On Thursday, House Republicans issued a statement regarding a new FISA proposal that aims to reauthorize and reform current authority for a period of three years. This plan includes stricter guidelines for the FBI’s inquiries into U.S. personal data. Attorney authorization for such investigations would be mandated, alongside increased oversight involving reporting from the intelligence community to human rights officials and the inspector general. A warning from the Privacy and Surveillance Accountability Project (PPSA), a civil liberties advocacy group, denounces the proposal as a mere rephrasing of existing law and misleadingly labeled as reform.
Notably, the version sent to the House Rules Committee lacks a comprehensive warrant requirement, a significant request from multiple lawmakers. Harrigan’s representative mentioned that the congressman would support the proposal if it included a warrant request and accountability measures.
The proposal would also impose criminal penalties for surveillance abuses, initiate audits of targeting practices, enhance Congressional access to FISA court proceedings, and establish a short-term reauthorization extending Section 702 through 2029.
“I am working hard with Speaker Mike Johnson, Speaker Jim Jordan, and Speaker Rick Crawford to fully extend FISA 702 in the House of Representatives this week…” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/p0eM201xGr
— White House (@WhiteHouse) April 14, 2026
Republican John Rhodes, an outspoken supporter of FISA reform, proposed three amendments to enhance oversight. His plan includes a comprehensive Congressional briefing and public reporting on FBI abuses connected to certain filtering tools, allowing Congressional members to attend FISA court proceedings, and creating a program for security-cleared notaries to review Section 702 activities.
Rhodes highlighted that Section 702 poses serious privacy concerns, asserting that it undermines Fourth Amendment protections. He urged for stronger safeguards, including warrant requirements, to shield Americans from unnecessary surveillance.
“We’re far from a resolution on this issue,” Rhodes commented. “Section 702 infringes on the Fourth Amendment right to privacy. Americans have the right to know when they’re under surveillance. The FISA court isn’t fully trustworthy, thus more protections are essential.”
The publication reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson for insights on merging the two bills but did not receive a timely response.
