Senate votes to reauthorize intel programs with added protections

The Senate on Thursday passed legislation reauthorizing three intelligence programs that lapsed earlier this year amid a GOP stalemate.

Senators voted 80-16 on the bill, which pairs the reauthorization of provisions of the USA Freedom Act with some changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, also known as the FISA court.

The Senate changed the bill, which originally passed the House in March, during a two-day floor debate, adding more legal protections for some individuals targeted by the court.

The proposal, which was spearheaded by Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), would increase the role of outside legal experts in FISA court hearings, including allowing them to weigh in on some FBI surveillance requests.

Because the Senate changed the bill, it will now have to be sent back to the House, which is expected to return on Friday. House Democratic leadership has not said if or when they will take up the amended bill.

It also remains unclear if President Trump would sign the bill should it reach his desk. The president has railed about his campaign being “spied” upon as result of the FISA court and has sent mixed signals to lawmakers about if he supports the legislation.