Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act
Jun 5, 2026
Introduced: Apr 7, 2025
Last updated: Jun 5, 2026
Jun 5, 2026
Introduced: Apr 7, 2025
Last updated: Jun 5, 2026
Summary
Adds new rules and checks for government spying on U.S. persons and stops the Federal Reserve from creating or testing a digital dollar.
What problem does this solve?
Some people worry that the government can spy on citizens too easily and that a government-run digital currency could be used to watch what people buy. This bill adds more rules to protect citizens from being spied on and completely bans the creation of a central bank digital currency.
What does this bill do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 202, 203, 204
Header:
Prohibition on Federal reserve banks relating to certain products or services
Prohibits a U.S. central bank digital currency
Forbids Federal Reserve banks from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) either directly or indirectly to individuals. Also bans the Federal Reserve from testing, studying, or creating a CBDC.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 102
Header:
Criminal penalties for violation of prohibition on queries
Adds criminal penalties for illegal searches
Creates a new crime for FBI employees who knowingly break the rules for searching data on U.S. persons, with a penalty of up to 5 years in prison.
Requires monthly civil liberties review of FBI searches
Mandates that the FBI provide monthly reports on its searches of U.S. person data to the Civil Liberties Protection Officer, who must review them for potential abuses.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 107
Header:
Extension of authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Extends surveillance authority
Extends the government's authority to conduct certain types of foreign intelligence surveillance from April 30, 2026, to April 30, 2029.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 105
Header:
Requirement for attorney approval of FBI queries using United States person query
Requires attorney approval for certain FBI searches
Removes the ability for a supervisor to approve an FBI search using a U.S. person's information, requiring an attorney's approval instead.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 103
Header:
Requirement for targeting United States persons under the Foreign Intelligence
Bans targeting of U.S. persons for surveillance
States that the government cannot intentionally target a U.S. person for surveillance under Section 702 and must use other legal methods, like a warrant.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 106
Header:
Government Accountability Office audit of targeting procedures under section 702
Orders audit of surveillance targeting
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an audit of the government's surveillance targeting procedures to make sure they are not being used on U.S. persons.
Who does this affect?
- U.S. Citizens
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Federal Reserve System
What is the real world impact?
•
Increases oversight on government surveillance
Adds more checks and balances to how the FBI and other agencies can search for information about U.S. persons collected under foreign intelligence laws, aiming to protect civil liberties.
•
Prevents a government-controlled digital currency
Bans the Federal Reserve from creating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to prevent what some see as a potential tool for government surveillance and control over personal finances.
When does this start?
The bill sets several deadlines for reports and new rules, while the extension of surveillance powers becomes effective immediately or on April 29, 2026.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Sec. 104
Header:
Attendance procedures for Member access to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
New Rules for Congress Access to Secret Court
Within 60 days of the bill becoming law, the Attorney General must issue new rules to ensure Members of Congress can attend proceedings of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Surveillance Audit Report
Within one year of the bill becoming law, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report on its audit of surveillance targeting procedures.
Effective Date for Surveillance Extension
The extension of surveillance powers under Title VII of FISA takes effect on the date the bill is signed into law or on April 29, 2026, whichever comes first.