Contact Congress about H.R. 6611: FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023
The bill keeps Section 702 surveillance powers through 2031. It adds stricter rules when the FBI searches that data for information tied to people in the United States.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 is a House bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects the FBI, intelligence agencies, FISA court judges, Congress, and people in the United States whose information may appear in Section 702 data. FBI staff would face more approval steps, audits, and discipline rules. People in the United States would get added safeguards against improper searches, though Section 702 collection would continue through 2031.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it keeps a powerful surveillance tool while changing how the FBI may search data that can include U.S.-person information. Section 702 helps collect foreign intelligence, but it can also sweep in communications involving people in the United States. The bill tries to reduce improper searches through approvals, written reasons, audits, court review, reports, and penalties. How much it changes real practice would depend on how agencies, courts, and Congress enforce the new rules.
Key provisions in H.R. 6611
- The bill keeps FISA Section 702 and related powers active until December 31, 2031. After that, Section 702 goes back to the wording it had before this bill.
- The FBI could not search Section 702 data only to find evidence of a crime. Narrow exceptions apply for threats to life or serious injury and for court or discovery duties.
- FBI staff would need approval before searching with a U.S.-person term, such as a name or personal identifier. Higher approval would be needed for searches involving elected officials, senior appointees, political groups, news groups, religious groups, or batch search tools, unless there is an emergency.
- FBI staff would have to write down factual reasons before any U.S.-person search of raw Section 702 data. FBI systems would also need controls to help stop accidental searches of that raw data.
- The Justice Department would have to audit every FBI U.S.-person search of Section 702 data within 180 days. This would last up to four years, unless the Attorney General certifies that the FBI has a full internal audit system.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 6611
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 6611
- What is H.R. 6611?
- The bill keeps Section 702 surveillance powers through 2031. It adds stricter rules when the FBI searches that data for information tied to people in the United States.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 6611?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 6611?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 6611 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
