"Intelligence Nominee Advocates for Controversial Surveillance Program Renewal Amidst Growing Threats from China and Russia"

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, urged the Senate Intelligence Committee to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a controversial surveillance authority set to expire at the end of the year. Haugh argued that despite past misuse against Americans, Section 702 remains essential for providing intelligence to the highest levels of government. While some members of Congress support an extension, others are calling for significant reforms to the program, which allows intelligence agencies to monitor the electronic communications of foreigners abroad. Haugh also pledged not to weaken encryption for Americans and emphasized the need to invest in new technologies and cybersecurity to counter threats from countries like China and Russia.