• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Johnson forced to delay House vote on controversial surveillance tool after GOP mutiny threats
Economy

Johnson forced to delay House vote on controversial surveillance tool after GOP mutiny threats

by February 15, 2024
by February 15, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was forced to backpedal on holding a House vote on renewing and revising a key surveillance tool of the U.S. government after a bloc of GOP lawmakers threatened a mutiny, Fox News Digital has learned.

The House Rules Committee had been partially through considering a bill to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) when Johnson’s spokesperson announced that a planned House-wide vote would not happen this week as expected.

The Rules panel, which had to approve the bill before it hit the House floor, abruptly called off the rest of its session with no explanation.

But four sources told Fox News Digital that all progress on the FISA bill would be postponed until a later date because members of the House Intelligence Committee threatened to tank a procedural vote to effectively kill the legislation.

‘Instead of playing the game through Rules and regular order, Intel decided to take their ball and go home, walking away from the negotiated text and amendment plan without any understanding of why,’ one source said.

Three more sources close to the Intelligence Committee challenged that narrative to Fox News Digital, saying the bill text was changed over the weekend without their consent or the consent of the House Judiciary Committee, which also worked on the bill.

They said the issue was primarily with an amendment offered by Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus who does not sit on either committee.

One of those two sources said Davidson’s amendment was not ‘germane’ to the compromise text, meaning it was ineligible for consideration because it was not deemed relevant to the bill – until the text was allegedly altered over the weekend.

‘Someone in leadership staff ended up drafting text that got inserted into the base text over the weekend, so they basically airdropped … this one paragraph into the base text that now makes that amendment germane,’ that source said. ‘The amendment totally screws FISA, the text that was added totally screws FISA in terms of its ability to be a national security tool.’

That source said taking a chance on whether Davidson’s amendment will pass was like ‘playing Russian roulette.’

Section 702 has been both credited with preventing terror attacks on U.S. soil and accused of being a vehicle for spying on U.S. citizens.

It lets the government keep tabs on specific foreign nationals outside the country without first obtaining a warrant to do so, even if the party on the other side of those communications is an American on U.S. soil.

Davidson’s proposed amendment would have forced feds acting within FISA to seek a warrant before trying to obtain third-party-owned communications and location data of a U.S. citizen.

The bill intended to come to the floor this week was the product of monthslong talks between the Judiciary and Intelligence panels. Both sides agreed that Section 702 needs to be reformed, and a task force of seven lawmakers was created to hash out the compromise, two sources said.

Judiciary members, along with a coalition of GOP hard-liners and progressives, saw FISA as a tool abused to spy on Americans and sought severe restrictions. Intelligence Committee members argued their restrictions would have rendered it ineffective as a tool to stop terror attacks.

Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., who is on Intelligence, agreed FISA needs reforms and defended his panel’s work on the matter but insisted the warrant aspect could hinder efforts to prevent threats to Americans.

He said the committee’s proposed emphasis on more transparency and oversight of the FISA court would ‘help remedy these problems and puts us on the best path forward to protect national security, and secondly, to hold the FBI accountable.’

LaHood also pointed to a letter signed by Trump-era national security officials affirming support for his committee’s version of the bill.

‘This was airdropped in there,’ the second source close to the Intelligence Committee said of text related to Davidson’s amendment. ‘This was not something that the seven members of the working group had ever digested, ever looked at. So really, it was disingenuous to think that that would be a part of that. And essentially, [House GOP leadership] agreed.’

That source said Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., were ‘surprised’ to hear that the legislative text was altered.

The third source said, ‘What they’re asking for is a secondary requirement, a warrant which would be a warrant for the query of a database of already lawfully collected data … that would be the equivalent of a police officer needing a warrant before running a license plate.’

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., an ally of Davidson’s who supported his warrant amendment, hit back at the Intelligence Committee’s reform efforts, saying, ‘Intel didn’t want the Judiciary [amendments]. See, the Judiciary Committee is the committee of jurisdiction. That’s where it should’ve gone.’

But the third source close to the Intelligence Committee said those on the panel ‘are the ones that see the threats to our nation up close and personal every day.’

It’s not immediately clear when House GOP leaders plan to bring the bill back up. House leadership has until April 19 before Section 702 expires.

Johnson’s and Davidson’s offices did not immediately provide comment.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • California to review cases for possible wrongful convictions
  • Comer fundraising email dampens prospects of Biden impeachment, says ‘criminal referrals’ are goal
  • Biden calls Johnson, Schumer for White House meeting as congressional chaos stirs government shutdown fears
  • Pennsylvania House passes $100M mental health spending plan
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Democrats win seat, Republicans win impeachment, two presidents clash over NATO
next post
Israeli special forces raid largest hospital in southern Gaza amid ‘credible intelligence’ of hostages

You may also like

Putin fueling regional tensions as Blinken arrives in Albania: ‘bleak...

February 16, 2024

Belk scrubs website of kids’ LGBTQ apparel after selling trans...

June 2, 2023

Riot police descend on Montana capitol as left-wing protestors shut...

April 25, 2023

NY Democrat complains about her student debt after SCOTUS ruling,...

July 1, 2023

Never Say Never-Trump: Biden leaves GOP moderates with ‘no alternative’...

April 7, 2024

‘You need to stop’: Gov. Noem lashes out during heated...

May 8, 2024

McConnell urges more aid for Ukraine despite skepticism among American...

October 31, 2023

George Santos becomes treasurer of his own campaign following indictment

May 20, 2023

6 woke Biden policies at Veterans Affairs that Republicans are...

July 25, 2023

Europe expected to move right in EU elections amid voter...

June 5, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past This Level Crucial For Resumption Of Upmove

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past...

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    EURUSD and GBPUSD: GBPUSD is approaching...

    September 16, 2024

    Israeli special forces raid largest hospital...

    February 15, 2024

    Obama-era deal to allow Hamas office...

    November 26, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here