Griffith says there needs to be a warrant requirement for Section 702 searches
Morgan GriffithU.S. representative from Virginia, speaking to reporters
Griffith says Americans need civil-liberties protections that, in his opinion, Section 702 does not currently have, and that a warrant is needed despite disagreement among his colleagues.
“I know there’s big disagreement with some of my colleagues, but I think there needs to be a warrant.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Griffith seeks Section 702 warrants; Cotton earlier opposed reform conditions
Morgan Griffith and civil-liberties groups seek a warrant requirement before Section 702 renewal. Tom Cotton's earlier objection argues that such conditions would make the program unworkable. Wyden and Schiff also demand disclosure of a classified opinion.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Roll Call quotes Griffith's current reform demand and reports the lapse in statutory authority alongside continuing court-authorized collection.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Speaking to reporters, Griffith says reauthorizing the program could face problems if a warrant requirement is not added for FBI searches of the collected data. He says Americans need civil-liberties protections that, in his opinion, the program does not currently have.
After the quotation
The report notes that Griffith voted in June for a short-term extension of the program, which fell short of the two-thirds majority it needed.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case's reference point is renewing Section 702 without a warrant requirement for searches of Americans' communications. Griffith says the program lacks needed civil-liberties protections and that a warrant is required, which criticizes renewal in its current form.
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More from this case
Read the full caseACLU and fellow signatories demand warrants as a condition of renewal
American Civil Liberties Union
“reauthorize Section 702 only with a warrant requirement to access Americans’ private communications.”Read statement
Cotton argues against a warrant requirement for Section 702 information
“Requiring a probable cause warrant for this information is akin to requiring a police officer to get a new warrant every time he goes into the evidence room to review lawfully collected evidence.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Griffith says there needs to be a warrant requirement for Section 702 searches". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7054-griffith-says-americans-need-civil-liberties-protections-that