U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers voted on April 29 for a three-year extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which includes reforms to Section 702, aiming to protect Americans from foreign threats.
The vote comes as lawmakers consider national security risks from countries such as Iran and China. Rogers said, “As tensions escalate with Iran and China, our foreign intelligence capabilities are critical to homeland security and American military operations – making FISA more important than ever before. We cannot afford a lapse in disrupting terror, fentanyl operations, ransomware attacks, or threats to our American heroes overseas.” He added that the bill also strengthens civil liberties protections by increasing oversight on cases involving individuals in the United States.
FISA was established nearly five decades ago to collect foreign intelligence information and safeguard against external dangers. The act has recently played a role in capturing former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, warning about an ISIS threat targeting U.S. personnel in Syria, aiding in dismantling drug cartel leader El Mencho’s network, and preventing a mass casualty event at an overseas concert featuring Taylor Swift.
In addition to extending FISA authorities, the legislation incorporates the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. This provision prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly to individuals unless Congress passes specific authorizing legislation. The measure is intended to protect private sector innovation related to digital cash while supporting President Trump’s Executive Order on advancing American leadership in financial technology.
Rogers is currently serving as U.S. Representative for Kentucky’s 5th district after succeeding Tim Lee Carter in 1981 according to congressional records. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives as reported by official House history. Born in Barrier, Kentucky in 1937 and now residing in Somerset at age 85 according to local news sources, Rogers graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts degree before earning his law degree at the University of Kentucky School of Law as noted by his alma mater.
The bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday and will move forward for consideration by the Senate.
