hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Bans warrantless searches of Americans' data under FISA and restricts government data buying.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and two cosponsors.
Introduced in House, referred to Judiciary and Intelligence committees.
The bill would stop intelligence agencies from searching collected data on Americans without a warrant, with narrow exceptions for emergencies and consent. It also bans law enforcement and spy agencies from purchasing personal data (like location or browsing history) from data brokers. The lead sponsor is a Republican from Arizona, and the bill has been sent to the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees, where it awaits hearings.
Introduced Mar 5, 2026
This bill is under review by a committee. The committee holds hearings, gathers testimony from experts and stakeholders, and may propose amendments. If the committee votes to advance it, the bill moves to the full chamber for debate and a vote.
Currently, the FBI can search through data collected under Section 702 of FISA using your email address or other identifiers without a warrant. This bill would require a court order for such queries, except in emergency or with your consent. It also prohibits federal agencies from buying your personal records from companies like data brokers, closing a common loophole around the Fourth Amendment. Additionally, the FISA court would have to appoint privacy experts in more cases, and the government would have to disclose more about which service providers are targeted.
Supporters Say
Supporters say the bill protects Americans' privacy and Fourth Amendment rights from warrantless surveillance.
Critics Say
Critics argue it could hamper national security investigations by adding bureaucratic hurdles.
Supporters, including privacy advocates and some lawmakers, contend that warrantless searches and data purchases violate constitutional protections and that the bill restores proper oversight. Critics, often from national security circles, warn that requiring warrants for all queries could slow down threat detection and that the data broker ban might cut off valuable intelligence leads.