FBI's Improper Searches Target U.S. Senator and State Senator

An FBI analyst conducted an improper search of a government surveillance database using the last name of a U.S. senator, according to a declassified court document. The search violated the FBI's policy and failed to meet the criteria for retrieving foreign intelligence information or evidence of a crime. The incident comes at a critical time as lawmakers consider new reforms to the FBI's surveillance authority and the broader law it operates under. The FBI has implemented internal reforms to address previous issues with the surveillance program, but the improper search may further fuel the debate over extending the program.