U.S. Senator Mike Lee introduced the Government Surveillance Reform Act on Mar. 12, a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting Americans’ constitutional rights and data privacy by reforming federal surveillance laws. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden, Cynthia Lummis, and Elizabeth Warren, seeks to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) with new Fourth Amendment protections. Representatives Warren Davidson and Zoe Lofgren have introduced a companion bill in the House.
The proposed reforms come as concerns grow over government access to private data and warrantless searches. Supporters say the act is necessary to restore civil liberties while maintaining national security tools. “It is imperative that Congress enact real reforms to protect our civil liberties, including warrant requirements and statutory penalties for privacy violations, in exchange for reauthorizing Section 702,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Our bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act stops illegal government spying and restores the Constitutional rights of all Americans.”
Senator Ron Wyden said, “Advances in technology, from AI to the explosion of Americans’ data available for purchase, have far outpaced the laws protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.” He added that liberty and security are not mutually exclusive goals.
The bill includes several key provisions: requiring warrants for accessing Americans’ communications collected under Section 702 except in emergencies; banning federal agencies from buying personal data from brokers without a warrant; prohibiting reverse targeting of Americans through foreign surveillance; repealing a recent expansion allowing forced secret spying by citizens or companies; updating privacy protections for modern technologies such as AI; halting warrantless collection of business records; and strengthening judicial oversight under FISA.
Civil liberties groups across the political spectrum have endorsed the legislation. Alex Marthews of Restore the Fourth said it would “rein in AI-driven misuse of NSA classified databases” and make it easier for people unfairly surveilled to seek redress. James Czerniawski of Consumer Choice Center called it “a bipartisan path forward that brings back a comprehensive package of reforms.”
According to the official website, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee maintains offices in Salt Lake City, St. George, Vernal, Utah, and Washington, D.C., represents the entire state of Utah as its senator, advocates for limited government and fiscal responsibility among other issues, engages in legislative efforts addressing public safety and health care matters, offers constituent services on federal matters through his offices in Utah and Washington according to the official website.
Supporters urge Congress to pass these reforms before FISA Section 702 expires in April. Jeramie D. Scott from EPIC said: “Our values and our Constitution demand our privacy and civil liberties be protected and EPIC is proud to support a bill that does just that.”
