Below is an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal:
WASHINGTON—The House passed legislation Friday to renew a controversial national-security spying power, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) made changes to the bill to overcome a last-minute intervention from former President Donald Trump and objections from hard-line conservatives.
The bill extending the foreign surveillance program was approved 273-147, capping a bitter, yearlong fight in the chamber that had aligned some conservatives and progressives in seeking more privacy protections against congressional leadership and the Biden administration, which warned that deep changes to the law could put American lives in danger.
The legislation, which will expire next week unless renewed, is supported by the White House and now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. It would renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for just two years instead of the five sought by Johnson earlier in the week, a compromise designed to placate Trump and his allies.
273–147: House passes two-year reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
The bill now heads to the Senate.
Current 702 authority expires April 19. pic.twitter.com/HJmGP8zfpV
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 12, 2024
In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump had urged Republicans to “KILL FISA,” and conservatives have remained opposed to renewing the program.
However, FBI officials insist that the Section 702 FISA provision is only used for surveillance on foreign people in foreign places, and insist it is urgently needed to thwart terror plots, fend off hackers and track spies.
The officials claim that Section 702 is completely different from the main FISA program, which requires a warrant if it is needed to surveil Americans. This is the program that was used against Trump. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe admitted Thursday that they made major errors in the case against Trump.
The Wall Street Journal further explained:
While dozens of mostly minor changes geared at safeguarding privacy were included, an amendment vote to add a warrant requirement failed Friday in a nail biter of a vote, with 212 in favor and 212 against. That requirement was opposed by the Biden administration and security hawks who called it a poison pill. Senior Biden officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Attorney General Merrick Garland, placed calls Friday morning to House members urging them to vote down the warrant amendment, according to people familiar with the matter.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) blasted Johnson for not supporting the amendment requiring warrants on Section 702, writing, “This is how the Constitution dies. By a tie vote, the amendment to require a warrant to spy on Americans goes down in flames. This is a sad day for America. The Speaker doesn’t always vote in the House, but he was the tie breaker today. He voted against warrants.”
However, FBI officials have noted that warrants are not appropriate for surveillance on foreigners.
This is how the Constitution dies.
By a tie vote, the amendment to require a warrant to spy on Americans goes down in flames.
This is a sad day for America.
The Speaker doesn’t always vote in the House, but he was the tie breaker today. He voted against warrants. pic.twitter.com/i49GnCzyPm
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 12, 2024
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) wrote, “A Republican Speaker voting against warrant requirements for American citizens after this very process was blatantly abused to spy on @realDonaldTrump and his campaign is beyond the pale.”
“And now he’s flying down to meet with him,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) fumed.
Johnson is expected to travel to Florida to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago Friday afternoon.
And now he’s flying down to meet with him. https://t.co/OoDbKZ5b7K
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 12, 2024
“Speaker Johnson was the final vote to KILL the amendment which would stop the warrantless surveillance of Americans. What is the difference between Speaker Johnson and Speaker Nancy Pelosi?” Greene demanded.
Speaker Johnson was the final vote to KILL the amendment which would stop the warrantless surveillance of Americans.
What is the difference between Speaker Johnson and Speaker Nancy Pelosi? pic.twitter.com/JzPrKWslGF
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 12, 2024
Thursday, Greene had announced, “I’m against the reauthorization of FISA altogether. I disagree with the people telling President Trump that this “new” version of FISA is A-OK. I do not trust giving the Biden administration the ability to spy on any of us. KILL FISA!”
I’m against the reauthorization of FISA altogether.
I disagree with the people telling President Trump that this “new” version of FISA is A-OK.
I do not trust giving the Biden administration the ability to spy on any of us.
KILL FISA! pic.twitter.com/Q9e2cda6WM
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 11, 2024
The House passed a controversial spying bill after Speaker Mike Johnson made changes to overcome last-minute opposition from Donald Trump https://t.co/EIjptgVB3g https://t.co/EIjptgVB3g
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 12, 2024
VIDEO: Andrew McCabe Acknowledges ‘Mistakes’ In Trump Campaign Investigation
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