WASHINGTON - In response to a recent breach of trust by the FBI, a bipartisan team of lawmakers has introduced new legislation aimed at curbing the agency's sweeping surveillance powers. The bill, which proposes reforms to close loopholes enabling warrantless searches and data seizures of American citizens, has garnered support from senators and representatives across party lines.

The legislation comes after years of debate over surveillance powers granted post-Sept. 11, 2001, under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This provision allows domestic law enforcement to conduct warrantless scans of data collected by America's foreign surveillance apparatus.

The bill's proponents are concerned about the practice of warrantless scans, particularly following the revelation by the Office of Director of National Intelligence in July that the FBI had conducted improper searches targeting a U.S. senator and two state officials. Utah Senator Mike Lee, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized that such actions were not mere mistakes but breaches of trust and violations of the Constitution.

The proposed reforms within the legislation include imposing limits on searches of Americans' communications without judicial authorization and prohibiting "backdoor" searches that exploit foreign intelligence justifications to spy on American citizens. The bill aims to strike a balance between protecting national security and safeguarding individual liberties.

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, a longtime critic of government surveillance, expressed support for the bill, stating, "We're introducing a bill that protects both Americans' security and Americans' liberty." Other sponsors of the legislation include Republican Representative Warren Davidson and Democrat Representative Zoe Lofgren, along with several other senators and representatives showing their bipartisan support.

Efforts to obtain comment from the White House and the FBI were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, the executive branch has previously advocated for the reauthorization of the surveillance power, citing its crucial role in combating foreign espionage and terrorism. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire at the end of the year, making the debate around the new bill all the more significant.

As the debate unfolds, lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the issue will continue to shape the future of surveillance powers, with a focus on maintaining both national security and civil liberties.