Title: Republican Opposition Mounts Against Extension of Warrantless Surveillance Law
Speaker Mike Johnson faced a wave of Republican opposition on Wednesday as he pushed to extend a warrantless surveillance law that national security officials deem crucial in the fight against terrorism. The opposition intensified after former President Donald J. Trump urged lawmakers to kill the legislation.
The bill in question, which aims to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and make modest changes, was set for a midday vote despite the growing dissent within the Republican party. However, the fate of the measure hung in the balance following Trump’s statement, which added significant weight to the already sizable group of right-wing lawmakers seeking a more drastic overhaul to limit government spying powers.
With no Democrats expected to support the bill, just three Republican defections could derail the vote. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida has already pledged to block the legislation, echoing the sentiments of other hard-right members who view the extension of the law as a way to push back against the intelligence community.
Trump’s social media post calling to “KILL FISA” further fueled the opposition, despite the fact that Section 702 primarily targets foreigners abroad for surveillance without warrants. The debate surrounding the bill has been ongoing for months, with concerns raised about the government’s collection of Americans’ private messages without warrants under the current law.
While some lawmakers advocate for more stringent reforms to protect Americans’ privacy, national security officials argue that such changes could hamper their counterterrorism efforts. The bill under consideration includes provisions to address past abuses and tighten restrictions on accessing collected information.
In a letter to fellow Republicans, Speaker Johnson defended his push for the extension, citing the importance of FISA and Section 702 in national security efforts while acknowledging past abuses by the FBI. The debate over the bill reflects broader divisions within the Republican party on issues of surveillance and national security.
As the House prepared for the vote, the outcome remained uncertain, with the possibility of the bill being withdrawn if Republican dissent persisted. The clash over the warrantless surveillance law underscores the ongoing tensions within the party and the broader debate over government surveillance and civil liberties.
