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Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act

USA119th CongressHR-8178| House 
| Updated: 4/2/2026
Ted Lieu

Ted Lieu

Democratic Representative

California

Judiciary Committee, Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to strengthen oversight of surveillance activities conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) by establishing a new FISA Oversight Office within the Department of Justice. This Office is tasked with evaluating every application filed under Title I of FISA to ensure compliance with legal standards. A key provision mandates that if an application targets a United States person and the probable cause standard is not clearly met, the Office shall petition to join the case and file a motion challenging the application. For other applications where probable cause may not be met, the Office has the discretion to intervene. The Office will also report annually to Congress on its activities, including the number of challenges made and declined. Furthermore, the bill amends FISA to require the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to appoint an amicus curiae for every application for an order or review under Title I. This change removes the court's discretion, making the appointment of an independent legal advisor mandatory for all such proceedings to ensure robust scrutiny.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6577
Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 2, 2026
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6577
    Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act


  • April 2, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 2, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Armed Forces and National Security

Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act

USA119th CongressHR-8178| House 
| Updated: 4/2/2026
This bill aims to strengthen oversight of surveillance activities conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) by establishing a new FISA Oversight Office within the Department of Justice. This Office is tasked with evaluating every application filed under Title I of FISA to ensure compliance with legal standards. A key provision mandates that if an application targets a United States person and the probable cause standard is not clearly met, the Office shall petition to join the case and file a motion challenging the application. For other applications where probable cause may not be met, the Office has the discretion to intervene. The Office will also report annually to Congress on its activities, including the number of challenges made and declined. Furthermore, the bill amends FISA to require the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to appoint an amicus curiae for every application for an order or review under Title I. This change removes the court's discretion, making the appointment of an independent legal advisor mandatory for all such proceedings to ensure robust scrutiny.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6577
Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act
Apr 2, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 2, 2026
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6577
    Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act


  • April 2, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 2, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Ted Lieu

Ted Lieu

Democratic Representative

California

Judiciary Committee, Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted