Two senators with notable expertise in intelligence matters say that the US government is acting illegally over electronic surveillance of its own citizens.

They say the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) has permitted intelligence agencies to continue warrantless interception of messages by US citizens despite failing to comply with the administration’s own privacy promise to allow public review of such rulings …

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was supposed to allow interception of communications by agents of foreign powers on US soil. It also put in place safeguards intended to ensure proper oversight. Controversially, however, it has also been used to intercept the communications of American citizens without a warrant under a clause known as Section 702.

That latter power is supposed to be granted for 12 months at a time by FISC. Decisions to renew the authorization should be made public within 180 days.…