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House Republican Leadership Forced To Delay FISA Vote
House Republican leaders decided to delay the initial vote to reauthorize FISA as they scramble to rally enough support among party members.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had attempted to push through a procedural rule vote on Wednesday to set up debate on renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
President Trump has urged House Republicans to unite and pass a “clean extension” of the controversial provision.
“Do What Is Right For Our Country” – President Trump Urges House Republicans To Pass “Clean Extension” Of Controversial FISA Section, Provides Explanation
The Hill explained further:
But he canceled that scheduled procedural vote as holdouts pushed for a late-stage amendment on warrant requirements — or other unrelated issues — as a condition of allowing the bill to move forward, a leadership source confirmed to The Hill.
“We would have to amend it on the floor or in committee,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas).
When the vote was initially punted, a notice from the Democratic Whip’s office said that legislative action on FISA could still happen on Wednesday. But by early afternoon, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said that any action on FISA would likely not happen until Thursday, and not in a vote series scheduled late Wednesday night.
“We’re still working through some final pieces of, you know, what could hopefully be an agreement that get it done,” Scalise said.
Section 702 allows the government to spy on foreigners located abroad, but it can sweep up the communications of Americans who speak with any targets being surveilled. That’s prompted critics to argue any information collected on Americans should only be accessed with a warrant.
FISA Section 702 expires on April 20.
House Republicans have numerous members within its ranks who are extremely critical of the provision.
“Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights are not for sale. I urge Congress to pass FISA Section 702 reforms to close the loophole that allows the federal government to purchase citizens’ private data,” Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) said.
Americans' Fourth Amendment rights are not for sale.
I urge Congress to pass FISA Section 702 reforms to close the loophole that allows the federal government to purchase citizens' private data.
Read my op-ed in the Hill