Bill > S3696

This bill, the FISA Accountability and Extension Act of 2026, aims to increase transparency and accountability related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review (FISCR), which are specialized courts that handle requests for intelligence gathering. Key provisions include ensuring that Members of Congress and their designated staff have full access to observe proceedings in these courts, revoking any previous procedures that might have restricted this access, and prohibiting the courts from imposing restrictions on congressional attendance that are not also applied to the Department of Justice. The bill also clarifies that information acquired under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is subject to penalties for unauthorized disclosure, strengthens civil action provisions for violations of FISA, and modifies the process for designating amicus curiae (friends of the court) by requiring lists of potential designees to be submitted by Senate and House leadership. Additionally, it clarifies that existing whistleblower protections for making disclosures to congressional committees are not diminished and extends certain authorities under the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for an additional eight years.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3696/all-info