Bill · S. 3696· Senate(119-S-3696)
FISA Accountability and Extension Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/27/2026
- Last activity
- 1/27/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Grassley
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The FISA Accountability and Extension Act of 2026 aims to amend the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act. It focuses on ensuring Members of Congress and their staff have improved access to observe proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review. The bill also updates procedures for designating amicus curiae by requiring the Senate and House to submit lists of potential candidates. Additionally, it modifies penalties and civil actions related to electronic surveillance and physical searches. Finally, the act extends certain authorities from the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for a period of eight years.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill increases transparency by allowing Members of Congress and their staff to observe FISA court proceedings.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill extends specific surveillance authorities for an eight-year period.
Does this change how police departments operate?+2
The bill increases congressional access to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to improve oversight of intelligence-gathering practices.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
The bill extends the duration of certain surveillance authorities for eight years.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Congressional Oversight: Under Section 2, Members and designated staff are allowed to observe proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review in their entirety. This includes physical access to courtrooms or, if space is limited, full visual and audio access (Section 2, subsection (f)).
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Increased Amicus Curiae Participation: Section 4 changes the designation process for amicus curiae, requiring the Senate and House to submit lists of at least six individuals each. The presiding judges are then directed to jointly designate not fewer than 8 individuals from these lists.
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Protection of Whistleblower Rights: Section 5 clarifies that nothing in the updated title 5 of the United States Code may be construed to revoke or diminish the right of an individual to make a protected disclosure to any congressional committee (Section 5).
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Expanded Legal Recourse: Section 3 amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to include civil actions for those who violate certain sections or those who knowingly aided or abetted such violations (Section 3, Section 2 and Section 3(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Removal of Current Amicus Curiae: Under Section 4, once the new lists of potential candidates are submitted by the Senate or House, any individual currently serving as an amicus curiae shall be removed (Section 4, subsection (3)(C)).
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Liability Exceptions for Service Providers: Section 3 includes an exception stating that no cause of action shall lie against providers of wire or electronic communication services, landlords, custodians, or other persons who furnish information or assistance in accordance with a court order or emergency request (Section 3, subsection (b)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+2Improves Privacy Rights-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+2Improves Voting Rights+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+1
- 1/27/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate