# Democrat Urges GOP to Renew Spy Program Before Election

> Top Democrat calls for GOP to renew Section 702 surveillance powers before Democrats take over.
- Title: Democrat Urges GOP to Renew Spy Program Before Election
- Summary: Top Democrat calls for GOP to renew Section 702 surveillance powers before Democrats take over. Rep.
- Keywords: section 702, fisa surveillance, warrantless communications, democrats, gop, house intelligence committee, jim himes, lame-duck session, Mother Jones
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/11/fisa-surveillance-section-702-jim-himes-warrantless-communications-democrats-gop
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-11-12T15:46:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: section 702, fisa surveillance, warrantless communications, democrats, gop, house intelligence committee, jim himes, lame-duck session
## Section 702 Lapses
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act lapsed in June.
## Himes Urges Renewal
Rep. Jim Himes urged Republicans to renew Section 702 during lame-duck session.
## Himes Defends Program
Himes called Section 702 the country's most rigorously overseen surveillance program.
## Civil Liberties Opposition
Civil liberties groups condemned Himes' effort to renew Section 702 before Democrats take over.
## Himes' Position
Himes will chair House Intelligence Committee after January election.
## Key takeaway

Rep. Jim Himes urges Republicans to renew Section 702 warrantless surveillance powers during lame-duck session to avoid changes after Democrats take control.