“We must balance as the government does. You must jealously guard the fundamental freedoms of Americans, Johnson stated. “You protect liberty and security. We cannot let a vital instrument perish and be forgotten.”
Most Democrats and the White House support extending FISA, but House Democrats won't vote for it due to partisan phrasing. The rule contains the FISA bill and a Republican resolution criticizing President Joe Biden for urging Israel to adjust its military approach following the World Central Kitchen aid convoy attack.
FISA needs reauthorization. “Unfortunately, the speaker has chosen to couple this rule vote with a bunch of other things,” said No. 3 House Democrat Pete Aguilar of California. “It has partisan resolutions. So I don't expect Democrats to back it."
Some Republicans oppose reauthorizing FISA, but others are expected to vote for a Section 702 warrant requirement. The House Intelligence Committee and intelligence community worry that such a restriction may cripple the program.
"We believe that failing to renew Section 702 would be detrimental to American national security and put Americans at risk of new terrorist attacks," the letter added.
Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.; Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.; Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y.; Warren Davidson, R-Ohio; Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.; and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wrote an amendment to limit warrantless surveillance of U.S. citizens under the FISA law.
The Judiciary Committee chair, Jordan, advocated for FISA reform on conservative presenter Mark Levin.
Jordan: “Got to have a warrant requirement.” I support monitoring foreigners who seek to harm us. When you do that, you take up many Americans, often innocently. You need a probable cause warrant from a distinct, equal branch of government to search that database. It works that way.”
National security advisor Jake Sullivan said the White House "strongly supports" the House's FISA bill. Sullivan said the Jordan amendment would "rebuild a wall around and thus block access to already lawfully collected information in the possession of the U.S. government." The administration opposes it.
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