Key facts
- Senator Rick Scott will not vote to reauthorize FISA Section 702 without reforms.
- FISA Section 702 allows the government to collect communications data of foreign nationals outside the U.S.
- The surveillance program's authority is set to expire within the coming days.
- Scott's vote is considered critical in the reauthorization process.
Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) has declared his intention to block the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 unless Congress enacts reforms to the surveillance program. Section 702 permits the U.S. government to collect the communications data of foreign nationals located outside the United States. The program's authority is set to expire in the coming days, creating a tight deadline for legislative action. Scott's stance indicates a potential hurdle for the Biden administration's efforts to extend the program's authorization.