Congress is back and facing three collisions at once: a surveillance authority days from expiring, a Homeland Security shutdown already straining public safety, and an Iran confrontation escalating without Congress putting its name on it. The common thread is institutional avoidance — lawmakers ducking timely, specific decisions while the executive fills the vacuum.

1. FISA 702: renew it — but tighten it where it actually bites

• Where things stand: Congress last renewed Section 702 for two years on April 20, 2024, after a 60–34 Senate vote; that short leash means the authority sunsets around April 20, 2026 unless Congress acts again. As the deadline nears, the Washington Post reports President Trump is pushing an 18‑month “clean” extension. Meanwhile, the FISC has acknowledged past misuse while reviewing newer guardrails. In 2022, the court found the FBI conducted more than 278,000 improper searches; since then, ODNI‑reported “U.S.-person queries” have fallen sharply, hitting 7,413 i...

As Congress reconvenes, it faces a critical decision: the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This provision, set to expire imminently, empowers our intelligence agencies to monitor communications of foreign nationals abroad without a warrant. While some raise concerns about privacy, the reality is that Section 702 is indispensable for our national security.

Since its inception in 2008, Section 702 has been instrumental in thwarting terrorist plots, dismantling drug trafficking networks, and countering cyber threats. For instance, intelligence gathered under this authority has led to the prevention of attacks on American soil and the disruption of international criminal organizations. The program's effectiveness is evident in its contribution to the seizure of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China, directly impacting the opioid crisis that plagues our nation. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/0...

As Congress reconvenes, it faces a daunting agenda that underscores the systemic failures of our current political and economic structures. The impending expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the potential lapse in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, and the escalating military actions against Iran are not isolated issues; they are interconnected symptoms of a government that prioritizes surveillance, militarization, and corporate interests over the rights and well-being of its people.

Section 702: A Tool of Mass Surveillance

Section 702, enacted in 2008, grants the National Security Agency (NSA) the authority to collect communications of foreign individuals abroad without a warrant. However, this surveillance inevitably sweeps up vast amounts of Americans' communications, effectively circumventing the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Brennan Center for Justice highlights that the go...