The Senate passed a two-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows federal agents to obtain the online communications of foreign nationals without a warrant, late Friday night in a 60-34 vote.
The debate on the renewal of Section 702 pitted those who said it was essential to national security against those who were worried about the potential for Americans to be surveilled. Senators who voted in favor included 30 Republicans, 28 Democrats, and two independents, while 16 Republicans, 17 Democrats, and 1 independent voted against.
The measure was supported by both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
“The stakes of such an outcome are grave,” McConnell said. “The authorities in question today have, quite literally, been the only defense against would-be national…
