Tester Statement on FISA Reauthorization

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today issued the following statement on his concerns that reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) would undermine Montanans’ freedom and privacy:

“Montanans care deeply about their right to privacy and don’t want the government intruding on their personal lives. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to shut dangerous loopholes and prevent the Biden Administration from accessing Montanans’ personal information without a warrant. I do not support reauthorizing FISA Section 702 in its current form and call on the Senate to take action to stop warrantless searches by the government and law enforcement agencies to protect Montanans’ freedom and privacy.” 

Tester is a consistent and staunch supporter of Montanans’ right to privacy. He has continually condemned the use of mass and warrantless government surveillance, and is one of only a handful of Senators that voted against reauthorizing FISA Section 702 when it previously came before the Senate in 2017. Tester also previously voted against efforts to extend FISA provisions and the government’s ability to spy on law-abiding Americans in 2008, 2012, and 2020. 

Tester has introduced his Government Surveillance Reform Act to better protect Americans from warrantless searches by the government and law enforcement agencies by making significant reforms to FISA Section 702. Tester’s bipartisan bill is supported by a diverse coalition of advocates including the ACLU, Brennan Center, Center for Democracy & Technology, Demand Progress, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center.