On Friday, the House of Representatives passed legislation to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
The reauthorization continues the FISA warrantless spying on Americans.
The House passed the measure by a 273–147 vote.
126 Republicans voted in favor of reauthorizing this egregious betrayal of the American people.
Section 702 is scheduled to expire on April 19th.
The bill now heads to the Democrat-led Senate.
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
The House also rejected an amendment proposed by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) that would require a warrant to spy on Americans.
86 Republicans voted against the amendment.
NEW: 86 Republicans just voted against @RepAndyBiggsAZ’s amendment to require a warrant to spy on Americans under FISA causing it to fail.
Here are the names: pic.twitter.com/6mAoJfnlac
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) April 12, 2024
Former Congressman Justin Amash wrote:
The amendment vote on FISA 702 to require a warrant to search Americans’ communications, which, by the way, is something the Constitution ALREADY requires, fails 212-212.
Republicans voted in favor: 128-86
Democrats voted against: 84-126
Vote out every person who voted no
The amendment vote on FISA 702 to require a warrant to search Americans’ communications, which, by the way, is something the Constitution ALREADY requires, fails 212-212.
Republicans voted in favor: 128-86
Democrats voted against: 84-126Vote out every person who voted no. pic.twitter.com/MU1EpyM567
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) April 12, 2024
“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,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) commented.
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
Massie previously revealed Congress gave itself a carve out in the reauthorization of warrantless spying on Americans.
“Congress gives itself a carve out in the reauthorization of FISA 702 warrantless spying on Americans. The bill requires the FBI to notify and seek consent from Congress before violating the privacy of Congressmen. This will persuade many members of Congress to vote yes,” Massie said.
🚨 Congress gives itself a carve out in the reauthorization of FISA 702 warrantless spying on Americans.
The bill requires the FBI to notify and seek consent from Congress before violating the privacy of Congressmen.
This will persuade many members of Congress to vote yes. pic.twitter.com/usKVeNnq3b
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 9, 2024