White House Opposes Banning Intelligence Agencies From Buying Data

The Biden administration “strongly opposes” legislation that would ban intelligence agencies from buying consumer data from brokers without a warrant, the White House said in a statement Tuesday. The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act (HR-4639) would block law enforcement from accessing commercially available information but wouldn’t prevent foreign enemies or the private sector from buying the same data, the administration said: That means the legislation jeopardizes national security but doesn’t protect privacy. The House is expected to vote on the bill this week, after Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., agreed to bring it to the floor during debate on reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (see 2404120044). Responsible use of commercially available data is vital to investigations related to China, illegal drug sales, cyberthreats, child exploitation and terrorist activity, the White House said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Tuesday urged Democrats and Republicans to work together to pass FISA reauthorization so surveillance authorities don’t lapse on April 19. Schumer filed cloture on the motion to proceed to House-passed legislation Tuesday. “If we don’t cooperate, FISA will expire, so we must be ready to cooperate,” he said.