On Friday, 86 House Republicans voted against an amendment that would have required a warrant to monitor Americans’ communications.
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) was suggested This bill is an amendment to the Information Reform and Security Act (RISAA) and reauthorizes Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702 is a law intended to target foreign adversaries, but it often monitors Americans’ private communications without a warrant.
The amendment was tied 212-212 in the House. A tie in the House means the bill fails. Biggs’ amendment received support from a majority of Republicans, but 86 House Republicans did not support the proposal.
The warrant request has overwhelming support from the American people. YouGov poll commissioned by FreedomWorks and Demand Progress found Seventy-six percent of Americans support requiring warrants, while only 12 percent oppose them.
Only one member of the House Republican leadership I voted The majority of the House Republican conference on the warrant requirement is House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), House Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-New York) voted against the warrant request.
Mr. Johnson previously supported closing the backdoor surveillance loophole, the ability to monitor Americans through Section 702, which targets foreign nationals. However, he changed his mind after seeing a secret press conference held after he became chairman.
86 House Republicans voted for warrantless surveillance of Americans teeth:
Conservatives and progressives accused Congressional leaders of opposing real privacy reform.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) wrote: An amendment to require a warrant for spying on Americans was defeated by a majority vote. This is a sad day for America. The Speaker does not always vote in the House, but today the Speaker cast the tie-breaking vote. He voted against the writ. ”
Thus the Constitution disappears.
An amendment to require a warrant for spying on Americans was defeated by a majority vote.
This is a sad day for America.
The Speaker does not always vote in the House, but today the Speaker cast the tie-breaking vote. He voted against the writ. pic.twitter.com/i49GnCzyPm
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 12, 2024
Demand Progress Policy Director Sean Vitka said in a statement after the vote:
As they have done for more than a decade, House leaders have used this debate to push their stance against privacy protections across the board. He unfairly blocked a House Judiciary Committee bill from coming to the floor, rejected a vote to close the data broker loophole, and rewarded the House Intelligence Committee for its shockingly bad management. rear.
…We are confident that House Judiciary leaders, including Reps. Andy Biggs, Pramila Jayapal, Jim Jordan, Jerry Nadler, Warren Davidson, and Zoe Lofgren, We salute you for fighting tirelessly for over a year to advance the serious privacy protections you support. Worth it. Their efforts were heroic and fundamentally changed the debate, but they are all the more impressive given the deceit and dirty work played on reform over the past year.
Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA) I have written“They expand FISA again. Bipartisan despicable act. Sad day for America.”
“Today’s FISA warrant amendment votes were tied, meaning every vote was a deciding vote,” wrote Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania). Make decisions about who represents you based on upholding your constitutional rights. ”
Today’s FISA warrant amendment vote was a tie, meaning every vote was a deciding vote.
Make decisions about who represents you based on upholding your constitutional rights.
— Congressman Scott Perry (@RepScottPerry) April 12, 2024
Sean Moran is a policy reporter at Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.
