Us Congress House Bill HB4454

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/30/23
• Refer: 6/30/23

Caption

To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to ensure that politically derived information is not used in an application to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for an order under title I or III of such Act.

Impact

If enacted, the implications of HB 4454 are substantial concerning state laws regarding surveillance and personal privacy. The proposed restrictions could lead to a decrease in the admissibility of evidence derived from political structures when investigating matters where surveillance or intelligence is warranted. This change would necessitate that any information stemming from political organizations must be accompanied by explicit identification and corroboration through independent investigative means, thus shaping the nature of how intelligence can be gathered and used in legal proceedings.

Summary

House Bill 4454 proposes amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, aiming to specifically prohibit the use of politically derived information in applications submitted to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) for certain surveillance orders. The core intention of the bill is to uphold the integrity of the judicial process and prevent potential political biases from leaking into national security decisions. By ensuring that FISC applications are grounded in information that is impartial and verified, the bill seeks to enhance the accountability and transparency of intelligence operations under the jurisdiction of this court.

Contention

Despite the bill's objective to promote fairness in intelligence assessments, notable points of contention have emerged. Critics argue that the bill might inadvertently restrict access to vital information that could be essential for law enforcement and national security purposes, potentially hindering efforts to protect the nation from threats. Furthermore, some policymakers worry about the implications of defining 'politically derived information,' fearing it could become a tool for lessening the scrutiny of government actions and limiting oversight of surveillance practices.