Spy powers skeptics in Congress discussing new language after White House meeting

Skeptics of a clean reauthorization of the nation’s warrantless spy powers are working on new language with the White House after a meeting with top Trump administration officials, lawmakers said.

“I can tell you that we’re working on fresh language right now, and I’m involved in that. And it’s based upon an understanding and respect for each other’s positions – although those positions are somewhat varied – but with the shared goal of getting the bill passed,” Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) told The Hill, describing it as a productive two-hour meeting.

“How can we address at least the edges of our concerns and get the bill done?”

President Trump has thrown his support behind a clean reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the authority that allows the government to spy on foreigners located abroad.

It’s a reversal for Trump, who told lawmakers to “KILL FISA” when it was last up for reauthorization.

Privacy-minded lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have long pushed to require a warrant amendment be added to Section 702 to protect the Fourth Amendment rights of any Americans whose data may be swept up if they communicate with foreigners being surveilled. 

Some members of the hardline Freedom Caucus members and other conservatives attended the meeting at the White House Thursday.

Higgins would not offer many details about what the new language would entail but said changes would be in the Fourth Amendment “space.”

“We’re getting closer to like an illuminated runway to land the plane, where we’re all satisfied that this is the right runway,” he said.

“I can tell you that I’m a constitutionalist, and I would not support a bill that does not address my concerns and those concerns include the constitutional rights and protections of American citizens that were subject to search or query in some way, that are protected by Fourth Amendment rights,” he said.

“We’re in that space working and working very hard to land the plane.”

Asked about the White House meeting, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) initially said they were not working on new text “right now,” but later clarified, “I haven’t seen any new text that’s been agreed to by everybody.”

The White House did not respond to request for comment Thursday.

National security officials have traditionally opposed a warrant requirement, saying they need to be able to access information in real time to respond to and thwart potential threats. In monitoring the communications of foreign targets, they need to be able to read both sides of the conversation, including any response from those on U.S. soil.

Other members said they were also aware of discussions sounding new language.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C), who voted against Section 702 in 2024, was not present for the meeting but said new text was being drafted.

“They’re changing the text. Now I don’t know whether it’s enough or not, but they’re changing it,” he said.

One member who had a prior commitment and was unable to attend the meeting also said new text was being discussed.

“I have heard that there was some productive conversations, and that there’s some amending going on,” they said.

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