FISA Amendments Act (2008)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (50 U.S.C. §§ 1881a et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was passed to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) in response to modern communications technology and post-9/11 counterterrorism needs. It expanded government surveillance powers, particularly for monitoring communications involving foreign targets.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
FISA (1978) required warrants from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) for electronic surveillance. The 2008 amendments created broad exceptions, raising major Fourth Amendment concerns about privacy and warrantless searches.