Efforts to renew the controversial federal surveillance tool known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) hit a roadblock as over a dozen House GOP members, dubbed privacy hawks, obstructed a bill backed by Speaker Mike Johnson.
The standoff occurred just hours after former President Trump’s directive on Truth Social to “KILL FISA,” citing alleged illegal use against himself and others.
Nineteen Republicans defied party leadership by voting against a procedural motion crucial for the advancement of the bill, resulting in a final vote of 193 to 228, effectively stalling the legislation.
The proposed Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, a product of collaboration between the House Judiciary Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, aims to address reported abuses by implementing stricter controls on access to Section 702-collected data, particularly concerning U.S. citizens. It also criminalizes the misuse of loopholes to access Americans’ data.
However, critics within the GOP, particularly conservative factions, argue that the bill lacks sufficient safeguards to protect Americans’ privacy rights.
Notable among the dissenting Republicans were House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Clay Higgins, Rep. Chip Roy, and Rep. Matt Rosendale.
The deadlock places Speaker Johnson in a precarious position, caught between competing factions within Congress. Supporters portray Section 702 as vital for national security, while detractors decry it as a tool for abuse and infringement of privacy.
Section 702 permits warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals suspected of terrorism ties, even when communicating with American citizens.
The House Judiciary Committee advocated for an amendment requiring officials to obtain warrants before querying communications involving Americans, a proposal met with resistance from national security-minded Republicans.
Critics argue that this requirement would impede swift responses to potential threats, likening it to mandating warrants for routine law enforcement tasks such as querying license plates.
During closed-door discussions, Speaker Johnson reportedly opposed the amendment, drawing ire from GOP hardliners who accused him of abandoning neutrality on the issue.
With the expiration of FISA Section 702 looming on April 19, the impasse underscores deep divisions within the GOP over surveillance practices and national security priorities.