The U.S. government’s surveillance authority is set to expire this weekend, leaving lawmakers uncertain about the nation’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the government to collect intelligence on foreigners abroad who use U.S. communication systems.

Expiration Sparks Concerns

Democrats rejected attempts to extend the program, citing concerns over the Trump administration’s handling of the issue. However, some lawmakers argue that the expiration of the program could have severe consequences, including the potential for telecommunications and tech companies to decline handing over information without explicit direction from Congress.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., stated that the consequences of not extending the program could be ‘fatal.’ Meanwhile, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., contended that the expiration of the program would not be the end of the government’s ability to surveil foreign terrorists.

The Trump administration has argued that the surveillance authority is a critical national security tool, crediting it with helping to foil a mass-casualty terror plot targeting a 2024 Taylor Swift concert in Austria and combat North Korean hackers, among other successes.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.