[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1748]


                USA FREEDOM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2020

  Mr. McCONNELL. Now, Mr. President, on one other important matter, 
late last night, several critical authorities that law enforcement uses 
to keep Americans safe lapsed into expiration. Barring Senate action, 
these important tools, which help protect the homeland from terrorists 
and counter foreign intelligence activities on U.S. soil, will remain 
offline.
  Fortunately, in the weeks leading up to this deadline, the Attorney 
General engaged in extensive bipartisan talks with Members of the 
House--of both parties--to try to reach a solution. The resulting 
legislation, which the House passed last week by large margins within 
each party, strikes a key balance. It reauthorizes the tools which our 
national security requires, while also imposing a number of new reforms 
which basic accountability demands.
  We can't let the relative success of these tools at preserving the 
safety and security of our country mislead us to believe they are 
unnecessary. It is just the opposite. Terrorist organizations still 
search constantly for opportunities to strike on American soil. Hostile 
foreign intelligence services--whether Chinese, Russian, or Iranian--
still seek to conduct operations within our borders, to recruit assets 
and agents among our population.
  These threats will not wait around if the United States delays 
restocking our toolbox, so the Senate should not wait to act. I 
sincerely hope that even our colleagues who may wish to vote against 
the House bill will not make us prolong this brief lapse in authorities 
and that we will be able to get these tools back online this week.

                          ____________________


[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1753-S1760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING A 77-DAY EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES FOR FOREIGN 
        INTELLIGENCE AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3501, submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 3501) to provide a 77-day extension of certain 
     authorities for foreign intelligence and international 
     terrorism investigations, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask that the bill be considered read a third time 
and the Senate vote on passage of the bill with no intervening action 
or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read 
the third time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill having been read the third time, the 
question is, Shall the bill pass?
  The bill (S. 3501) was passed, as follows:

                                S. 3501

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SEVENTY-SEVEN-DAY EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ACCESS 
                   CERTAIN BUSINESS RECORDS FOR FOREIGN 
                   INTELLIGENCE AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM 
                   INVESTIGATIONS AND FOR ROVING SURVEILLANCE.

       Section 102(b)(1) of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and 
     Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-177; 50 U.S.C. 
     1805 note) is amended by striking ``March 15, 2020'' and 
     inserting ``May 30, 2020''.

     SEC. 2. SEVENTY-SEVEN-DAY EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR 
                   INDIVIDUAL TERRORISTS TO BE TREATED AS AGENTS 
                   OF FOREIGN POWERS UNDER THE FOREIGN 
                   INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT OF 1978.

       Section 6001(b)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 
     Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458; 50 U.S.C. 1801 
     note) is amended by striking ``March 15, 2020'' and inserting 
     ``May 30, 2020''.

     SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act take effect on 
     March 14, 2020.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion 
to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.