House GOP warrant revolt blocks clean FISA reauthorization

Approximately 20 House Republicans joined with Democrats on April 20, 2026, to block a clean three-year reauthorization of FISA Section 702, demanding that any renewal include a requirement that the FBI obtain a warrant before searching Americans' communications incidentally collected under the foreign intelligence program. The revolt forced House leadership to approve a second 10-day extension rather than a long-term bill. The Republican dissidents argued that without a warrant requirement, Section 702 functions as a backdoor surveillance tool against American citizens who have committed no crime.