[ad_1]
WASHINGTON – Tensions between House Republicans over the controversial Espionage Act are expected to flare up again this week over the scope of how conservative hardliners and members of the intelligence community should review the law under time constraints.
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Authority Act, also known as FISA, is set to expire on April 19, leaving time running out for Congress to reauthorize the law. The problem lies in Section 702, which allows U.S. authorities to monitor foreigners’ communications without a warrant.
Because these foreign nationals frequently come into contact with Americans, their information is also subject to data collection. As a result, the FBI will be able to search U.S. data collected through the law without a warrant. Many conservatives have balked at this feature, and are now pushing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to reform FISA with new warrant requirements for authorities to scrutinize data. is approaching.
Section 702 splits House Republicans into two opposing factions. The law’s harshest critics are led by the House Judiciary Committee, while the House Intelligence Committee is pushing to keep it in place, arguing it is essential to protect the nation.
FISA’s conservative opponents are pushing for an amendment that would include a warrant requirement. Opponents of the move argue that requiring a warrant would effectively nullify the program and threaten national security.
Preparing to vote: See who’s running for president and compare their positions on important issues with our voter guide
Top House Republican: Some conservative members are ‘not telling the truth’
The battle once again revealed deep divisions among Republicans and created an odd coalition in the House. Ultra-conservative Republicans are joining forces with progressive civil liberties Democrats to oppose Section 702. Meanwhile, national security-minded Democrats and Republicans have joined forces to oppose warrant requests for U.S. officials.
Underscoring the tensions surrounding the bill, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already had to reverse the FISA push twice in recent months, instead deciding to extend the reauthorization deadline until April 19. With less than two weeks left, lawmakers are in a race against time.
“This is surveillance of foreign nationals overseas.” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) defended Section 702 on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, saying, “We “We are not monitoring foreign nationals in the country.” ”
Conservatives who say the law fully authorizes authorities to search American data without a warrant “just aren’t telling the truth,” Turner said.
The current reauthorization bill, which is up for a vote this week, includes other changes to the law, but the warrant requirement has proven to be the most controversial part of the bill. Lawmakers are drawing a firm line.
Far-right Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) said the bill was “categorically rigged to prevent certain amendments from being debated and voted on,” adding that Republican leadership ” He accused them of being proactive. Oppose conservative amendments that include warrant requirements.
Outside groups were also involved in the heated debate. FreedomWorks, a hardline conservative policy group, intervened, accusing Johnson of “succumbing to the desires of the US surveillance state”. By posting on X (formerly Twitter).
“I’m not going to let you roll.”
In a letter to House Republicans last week, Prime Minister Johnson said the reforms would “curb the FBI, strengthen the accountability of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), impose penalties for wrongdoing, and strengthen the FISA system. It was billed as “introducing unprecedented transparency throughout the process.”
He said that if the House fails to pass its own bill by the April 19 deadline, the Democratic-controlled Senate could use the deadline to its advantage and force the House to pass a bill that does not include any changes. I was warned that there would be. This is a result of what Mr Johnson described as an “unacceptable option”.
Critics of Section 702 reject Johnson’s reasoning. Democratic Rep. Kelly Armstrong told reporters Tuesday that he is frustrated with Republican leaders who are pushing the bill past deadlines and forcing lawmakers to take tough votes in the heat of the moment. Ta.
“I’m not going to get rolled over,” Armstrong said.
It’s unclear how conservatives will react to the bill when it comes to the House. For example, Rep. Ralph Norman (R.S.C.) said he has not yet decided whether to vote to allow debate in the House to advance the bill. Ultra-conservatives have frozen the House, often tanking procedural rules votes to express dissatisfaction with leadership.
Mr Johnson plans to brief members later this week and meet with various groups to discuss the legislation and try to address concerns. The speaker has so far not publicly sided with the warrant request.
And the intraparty conflict comes at a troubling time for the speaker, whose job is under threat at the hands of Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. The conservative lawmaker took steps to oust him from the speakership.
If Mr. Johnson further infuriates conservative hardliners, who are already furious with the speaker for working with Democrats on other bills to pass, they could swing to Mr. Greene’s side and jeopardize his leadership position. there’s a possibility that.
[ad_2]
Source link
