The House of Representatives passed the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) extension bill on Friday after intense lobbying by the Biden administration overcame opposition that threatened the bill’s passage earlier this week.
The two-year extension passed easily by a vote of 273 to 147. But a major battle is unfolding over an amendment proposed by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), while Biden administration officials scramble around the House floor to try to pass the bill. I was seen. Defeat of the amendment ruled the day.
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The amendment, which would have required a warrant to search the communications of American citizens, failed in a 212-212 vote.
The White House lobbied heavily against the Biggs Amendment. “Our nation’s intelligence, defense, and public safety communities are united in saying that there is no way we can reduce the widespread harm of this proposal,” the Biden administration’s official statement said. “Therefore, the administration strongly opposes this amendment.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who supported the warrant requirement before becoming Speaker, worked with Democratic leaders to kill the Biggs amendment. Both men have several votes in reserve and are believed to be prepared to vote against the amendment if necessary.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said after the vote, “I could see leaders of both parties suppressing the vote to ensure the amendment failed.”
Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) at the Washington State Capitol on April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Senator)
Although not all of the absentees were in the city, 13 members and delegates (seven Republicans and six Democrats) did not vote for the amendment.
“In the end, we saw this race being played to ensure that the Biden administration gets the votes, and Joe Biden’s White House is funneling votes to the Democratic side to make sure the Biggs Amendment doesn’t pass. You should have seen it,” Mace said.
The two-year extension will need to pass another procedural vote before it goes to the Senate next week, which is expected to be an easy success.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has not announced plans to consider a House extension. Those plans may depend on how the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is handled.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The House is scheduled to formally send the impeachment charges to the Senate on Tuesday.
“If they fix that one sentence, and they probably can’t do it on their own, I’m sure they’ll come back here for a vote,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said of the FISA extension. ” he said about the FISA extension. With this apple. ”
FISA’s current authorization expires on April 19th.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
