Tom Cotton (R-AR)
A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-87.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate voice vote
- Passed House 261–111
- To President
- Became Law
The Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act aims to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. The primary purpose is to extend the authorities found in title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. It specifically changes the repeal date from April 30, 2026, to June 12, 2026. This change applies to both 50 U.S.C. 1881 note and 18 U.S.C. 2511 note. These amendments take effect on either the date the Act is enacted or April 29, 2026.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill extends the timeline for existing surveillance authorities under FISA Title VII.
- Scored +1
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill extends surveillance authorities used by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The extension of surveillance authorities may reduce individual privacy protections regarding data collection.
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill extends the period during which certain government surveillance authorities are active.
- Scored -1
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Increased surveillance capabilities can impact privacy in densely populated areas.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 261 yes · 111 no
04/30/2026 · Roll call 155 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Extension of existing authorities: By moving the repeal date from April 30, 2026, to June 12, 2026, the bill maintains the current authorities under title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 for a longer period (Section 1(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts identified: The provided text does not contain information regarding potential negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The extension of surveillance authorities may reduce individual privacy protections regarding data collection.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill extends the period during which certain government surveillance authorities are active.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill extends the timeline for existing surveillance authorities under FISA Title VII.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increased surveillance capabilities can impact privacy in densely populated areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill extends surveillance authorities used by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
- Public Law (5/1/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 4/30/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S2158; text: CR S2158)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Presented to President.
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-87.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 261 - 111 (Roll no. 155). (text: CR H3322)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 261 - 111 (Roll no. 155). (text: CR H3322)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 4465.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3322-3326)
- Mr. Jordan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-8035: To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through October 20, 2027, and for other purposes.
- 119-HR-8322: To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through April 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
- 119-HR-8512: To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through April 20, 2029, and for other purposes.
- 119-S-1318: Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
- 119-S-4444: A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 through May 21, 2026, and for other purposes.
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia