ICYMI: Rubio and Hegseth Warn of ‘Devastating’ FISA Expiration, Call on Democrats to Support Bipartisan Cotton-Grassley Reauthorization Bill

WASHINGTON – Ahead of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) expiration date on June 12, senior administration officials are urging Capitol Hill to take immediate action to pass the bipartisan Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act , introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, respectively, in close collaboration with Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Mark Warner (D-Va.). The Cotton-Grassley bill reauthorizes FISA for three years, allowing the federal government to continue to collect foreign intelligence information while enacting key changes that protect Americans’ privacy. The legislation includes all six reforms passed by the House of Representatives in April, in addition to further accountability measures. The Trump administration endorsed the bill last week. FISA is a critical component in the U.S.’s counterterrorism and national security efforts. Grassley and Cotton wrote to Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio over the weekend urging the administration to prepare in the event of a lapse in FISA authorities due to Democrat obstruction. Here’s what administration officials are saying in response: Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio: “Despite the strong reforms that congressional Democrats helped craft, I am deeply disappointed to see them walk away from the legislation over political differences. This Administration has gone above and beyond in implementing every reform in 2024 reauthorization, and there is no evidence of any political abuse or misuse of Section 702 under President Trump. This Administration—and every single appointee—is committed to protecting Americans’ constitutional rights both in current law and through the additional safeguards contained in your legislation. “You know that allowing Section 702 to lapse will be devastating to our national security; your Democrat colleagues know that too. The security and constitutional rights of the American people are too important to be subject to partisan politics. I urge Senate Democrats to put partisanship aside and join you in reauthorizing Section 702 before it is too late.” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: “The bipartisan Senate reauthorization strengthens both security and civil liberties by adding new safeguards, increasing transparency, expanding congressional oversight, imposing criminal penalties for misuse, and enhancing protections for Americans’ constitutional rights. “Democrats are choosing to halt action on reauthorization, undermining national security and putting politics ahead of the safety of the American people. At a time of growing threats around the world, Congress should be strengthening the tools that protect our nation—not weakening them. We call on Senator Schumer and Senator Warner to bring Senate Democrats back to the table with Senate Republicans and pass this critical piece of legislation. “Reauthorizing Section 702 is about protecting Americans’ privacy and protecting Americans’ security. We can—and must—do both.” -30-