Take Action

call to action for July 1, 2026

Background

A provision of U.S. surveillance law that has eroded Americans’ civil liberties for years—going back to the War on Terror era, early in this century—expired on June 12. But don't celebrate yet. Negotiations to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) are ongoing, and Congress is under acute pressure to extend the law.

Under Section 702, federal agencies do not need a warrant to spy on non-Americans outside the United States. But as a result of that warrantless surveillance activity, emails, calls, and texts by Americans who communicate with foreign targets get swept into government databases. Law enforcement officers can then—without securing a traditional warrant—search those databases for Americans' names, phone numbers, and email addresses.

The threat to civil liberties is real: The FBI has used Section 702 to search the communications of peaceful protesters, members of Congress, campaign donors, and journalists.

This “backdoor search” loophole is the central sticking point in negotiations to reauthorize Section 702. Let’s urge our representatives to demand warrant requirements and other meaningful reforms as a condition of voting to renew this expansive surveillance authority.

Call Your Representative

For most of us, that’s Sam Liccardo. If you are not sure who your U.S. representative is, go here.

Sam Liccardo | 202-225-8104

Sample Script

Hello. I'm a constituent from [YOUR ZIP CODE]. My name is [YOUR FULL NAME].

I'm calling to urge Representative [NAME]] to oppose a “clean” reauthorization of Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Section 702 includes loopholes that allow for warrantless government surveillance of Americans, and it has been used to undermine our civil liberties. Representative [NAME] should support extension of the law ONLY if Congress adds warrant requirements and other significant reforms.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Call Your U.S. Senators

Alex Padilla | 202-224-3553 (D.C.) or 415-981-9369 (local)
Adam Schiff | 202-224-3841 (D.C.) or 415-393-0707 (local)

Sample Script

Hello. I'm a constituent from [YOUR ZIP CODE]. My name is [YOUR FULL NAME].

I'm calling to urge Senator [NAME]] to oppose a “clean” reauthorization of Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Section 702 includes loopholes that allow for warrantless government surveillance of Americans, and it has been used to undermine our civil liberties. Representative [NAME] should support extension of the law ONLY if Congress adds warrant requirements and other significant reforms.

Thank you for your time and consideration.