• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Conservative groups are pushing Speaker Johnson to reform controversial spy program FISA
Economy

Conservative groups are pushing Speaker Johnson to reform controversial spy program FISA

by March 1, 2024
by March 1, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

A group of conservative policy organizations are urging House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to not reauthorize the controversial surveillance program Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and are pushing the Republican leader to oppose including reforms in any upcoming must-pass legislative vehicles such as a continuing resolution or omnibus package.

In a letter to Johnson sent Thursday, Americans for Prosperity (AFP), FreedomWorks, Taxpayers Protection Alliance and Conservative Partnership Institute said ‘it is critical that Congress does not attempt to force a reauthorization of this authority into a must-pass legislative vehicle, and once and for all finally have a standalone vote on this topic.’

‘A standalone vote on Section 702 ensures focused scrutiny and accountability, safeguarding Americans’ privacy and maintaining the country’s national security. Shoving it into a must-pass continuing resolution avoids a transparent and open process on how to reform a deeply flawed program,’ AFP’s senior policy analyst James Czerniawski told Fox News Digital. 

Earlier this month, the House Rules Committee was set to vote on the measure to renew Section 702 of FISA, which would have advanced it to the House floor for a possible vote later in the week, but Johnson pushed that vote. 

In the letter, the groups slammed the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) for allegedly negotiating in ‘bad faith’ after it and the House Judiciary Committee ‘agreed to a floor process the week of Feb. 12th to consider a base reauthorization bill, but with the opportunity for both committees to offer amendments, the contours of which were understood by both parties.’

The letter also claims that on the eve of the Rules Committee hearing, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, ‘inexplicably released a cryptic Dear Colleague claiming a serious and urgent threat to national security requiring review by Members of the House in a classified setting.’

That warning, reportedly, was the intelligence related to Russian nuclear capabilities in space which could threaten satellites, including potentially knocking out U.S. military communications and reconnaissance.

On Feb. 13, HPSCI voted 23-1 to make information about a destabilizing foreign military capability available to Members of Congress. 

Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes, D-Conn., issued a bipartisan notification — what’s known as ‘a Dear Colleague letter’ — urging their colleagues to review this classified information in the secured room on Feb. 13. The language of the Dear Colleague letter was cleared by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

On Feb. 14, reports of the Dear Colleague letter surfaced, which prompted Turner to issue a statement around 11:30 a.m. about a ‘serious national security threat.’ 

In an interview with ‘Meet the Press,’ Turner emphasized that he believed that the Biden administration was sleepwalking its way into an international crisis. 

The letter criticized Turner’s disclosure, adding that ‘both the White House and Senate Intelligence Committee have made statements suggesting serious concerns regarding the risk of disclosure of sources and methods because of Chairman Turner’s Dear Colleague and subsequent press release.’

The groups asserted that ‘the reauthorization of Section 702 has been top of mind for Members of Congress for over a year now and HPSCI’s sole focus and engagement on this issue during this time is evident. It is highly suspect that as the House was on the verge of considering a vehicle for reauthorization, rather than helping to facilitate a carefully negotiated floor process for considering a powerful surveillance tool, HPSCI instead spent its efforts on a non-urgent matter and in the process may ultimately have jeopardized national security.’

But a spokesperson for HPSCI told Fox News Digital that Turner ‘does not play politics with national security.’ 

Section 702 of FISA 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. 

Turner has also advocated for FISA reforms and put forth his own reforms.  

But the groups told Johnson in its letter Thursday that while the genesis of HPSCI was originally intended to rein in and provide oversight of an unaccountable Intelligence Community found to be violating Americans’ rights, they claim it has ‘unfortunately morphed into merely a rubber stamp’ of Intelligence Community activities, ‘unwilling to even have a debate on how to hold the Intelligence Community accountable for their rampant and repeated abuses of the Section 702 authority.’

It is critical that Congress does not attempt to force a reauthorization of this authority into a must-pass legislative vehicle, and once and for all finally have a standalone vote on this topic. We stand ready to work with Congress to advance a solution that accomplishes the security and Americans’ civil liberties,’ they said. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Six House Dems vote with GOP to condemn Kamala Harris for ‘border czar’ role
  • White House releases fiery statement on government shutdown: ‘Playing partisan games’
  • Elizabeth Warren, Marjorie Taylor Green agree people shouldn’t protest alleged Trump arrest
  • Trump blasts American leaders as no US citizens are among Hamas hostages recently released
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Top House Republican prepares ‘fail safe’ option in case GOP can’t reach agreement on Ukraine aid
next post
Are the Seven Still Magnificent?

You may also like

House GOP drafting Biden impeachment articles over Israel aid cutoff...

May 10, 2024

Trump pick JD Vance celebrated by GOP: ‘Opponent of endless...

July 15, 2024

Blinken rallies Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy to...

November 8, 2023

Clooney, Hollywood line up behind Harris as celebrity endorsements and...

July 23, 2024

Biden retained records related to Ukraine, China; Comer demands ‘unfettered...

February 9, 2024

Oversight Committee targets Buttigieg for ‘disturbing pattern’ of travel ‘safety...

September 7, 2023

PA Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd to be sworn in...

January 20, 2023

Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of Oct 7 attacks, as...

August 7, 2024

Democrat leadership leaves Adam Schiff hanging on call for intelligence...

January 16, 2023

Bernie Sanders sticks up for fellow octogenarian Biden: ‘Seemed fine...

August 28, 2023

    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

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters renovation

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025
    • OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

      July 10, 2025
    • Sports executive charged with bid-rigging in Texas arena project

      July 10, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,631 views
    • 2

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

      June 27, 2024 2,919 views
    • 3

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

      August 9, 2024 2,607 views
    • 4

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

      July 10, 2024 2,577 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,451 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

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

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

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

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

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

      August 9, 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

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters...

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    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

    US regulators delay decision to license...

    March 23, 2023

    Biden vows to keep White House,...

    June 28, 2024

    Biden keeping Space Command in Colorado,...

    August 1, 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