Congress’ anger at FBI shapes surveillance program’s future

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Appropriations subcommittee Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Growing anger at the FBI from both parties in Congress has become a major hurdle for U.S. intelligence agencies fighting to keep vast powers to collect foreign communications. Key lawmakers say they won’t vote to renew the programs under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without major changes. And many blame problems with how the FBI’s special agents handle what’s collected under Section 702 — along with publicly revealed mistakes in other intelligence investigations by the bureau. The program expires at year’s end.